Corporate Counsel at Nestle Foods

Minimum Educational Qualification:

• LLB and valid license to practice as a lawyer.

Minimum Relevant Work Experience:

• Called to the bar with a minimum of 13 years of cognate corporate practice experience in legal and company secretarial activities

Position Summary

• Joining Nestlé means you are joining the largest food and Beverage Company in the world. At our very core, we are a human company driven by our purpose to enhance the quality of life and contribute to a healthier future.
• Nestlé Nigeria is currently looking for a Corporate Counsel who will drive compliance with applicable laws affecting the operations of the company; protect the interest of Nestlé in commercial transactions by preparation and vetting of legal documents; provide legal advice to the company, its Business Units and functions; and manage, as well as resolve disputes.

RESPONSIBILTIES:

• Protecting the interest of Nestlé in commercial transactions by preparing or vetting all contracts, documents and correspondence to mitigate the risk exposure of Nestlé and ensure that commercial terms are favorable to Nestlé.
• Providing legal advice and guidance to the Company and its Business Units to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies.
• Providing legal advice and guidance for the management of consumer-related complaints including attendance at crisis management meetings.
• Protecting the proprietary rights (intellectual property, brand equity, trademarks) of Nestlé by providing support to and guaranteeing information flow between the relevant stakeholders (ManCom, Legal Management, Regulatory, Business Unit and Security) for the investigation of counterfeiting activities.
• Provide support for the AGM and Audit Committee meetings of the Company by preparing the papers, taking minutes, keeping records, making the relevant returns to the appropriate regulatory agencies and provide guidance on corporate governance.
• Dispute management and resolution relating to Business Units within his/her portfolio by liaising with external counsel, developing case management strategies, preparing or reviewing all court processes and documents to be filed on behalf of Nestlé, attending court sittings on behalf of Nestlé, maintaining a database of all active cases and giving updates to the Legal Adviser.
• Sensitizing and educating staff on Anti-corruption, Data Privacy and Food Law, Anti-Money Laundering; and other relevant laws, policies, legal and other issues affecting them and/or operations of the company in these areas.
• Shared but differentiated responsibility with the Legal team management to provide corporate services for registration or renewal of trademarks, renewal of General License Agreement, and renewal or application of relevant permits and licenses.

WHAT MAKES YOU SUCCESSFUL?

• Minimum of LL.B (Second Class, Upper Division); and a B.L (Second Class, Upper Division) from the Nigerian Law School and valid license to practice as a lawyer.
• Membership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria.
• Experience in commercial law/corporate practice with knowledge of contract law, dispute resolution and litigation, compliance, Corporate Governance, intellectual property and data privacy.
• Experience in Corporate Governance and Secretaryship
• Sound knowledge of Nigerian legal system and other industry best practices.
• Good communication and research skills.
• Ability to work in teams.
• Persuasion and negotiation skills.
• Assertiveness.
• Possess good leadership and communication skills