Assistant General Counsel

SunOpta Overview:
SunOpta Inc. is a leading healthy food and beverage company focused on plant-based foods and beverages and fruit-based foods and beverages. SunOpta is focused on sustainability and specializes in the sourcing, processing, and packaging of organic, conventional, and non-GMO food products. SunOpta recently moved into its new office headquarters in Eden Prairie, MN; the Eden Prairie Innovation Center is a beautiful and spacious building with countless employee-focused amenities.
SunOpta is looking for talented individuals who demonstrate our most valued behaviors (Passion, Dedication, Speed, Entrepreneurship, Customer-Centricity, and Problem-Solving) to help create a brighter, healthier, and sustainable future of food!
Job Summary:
The Assistant General Counsel will provide a wide range of legal services and advice to the company. The Assistant General Counsel will be responsible for supporting the Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel and the company's commercial transactions, regulatory and compliance, and governance matters. The Assistant General Counsel will also be responsible for managing outside counsel and will have internal supervisory obligations of certain members of the 5-person legal/compliance department. This role will work closely with senior management and other employees, specifically sales, marketing, corporate development, quality, procurement, and R&D personnel. Candidates should possess strong leadership, analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.
The successful candidate will have expertise in reviewing and drafting a variety of agreements; coordinating and managing outside counsel; overseeing regulatory and labeling compliance, other company compliance and corporate governance issues; drafting board committee meeting minutes and materials; and assisting with company policies and training.
Essential Functions of the Job:

• Draft and negotiate various types of transactional agreements to support the business segments and support teams.
• Provide legal counsel and advice on a broad range of legal topics including: antitrust, anticorruption, contract management, contract negotiation, food manufacturing and safety regulations, employment matters, ethics, confidentiality, intellectual property, and UCC.
• Provide labor and employment advice to business leaders and HR.
• Develop policies, procedures, and training to ensure legal compliance.
• Provide strategic direction and management of regulatory compliance issues, particularly food industry regulations.
• Conducts legal research and investigation on day to day issues, claims, and defenses; develops oral and written advice and presents recommendations to management.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Estimated percentage of time spent in the following areas:

-Transactional/Commercial Agreements (70%)
-Regulatory and Compliance (15%)
-Company Policy Support and Training (10%)
-Research and Special Projects (5%)
Supervisory Responsibilities:

• 2-3 direct reports

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate; licensed in the State of Minnesota
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a law firm and/or in-house corporate law department; in-house experience required
• Prior public company and corporate compliance and governance experience required

Knowledge and Skills:

• Extensive experience in commercial contract drafting and negotiation (contract manufacturing, supply and distribution, purchase, consulting, third party service agreements) and regulatory compliance matters
• Experience in M&A matters (due diligence, transactional documents, integration)
• Experience in researching and interpreting regulatory requirements
• Experience in drafting board committee meeting minutes and materials
• Exceptional writing and communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with each level within the company, especially senior and executive management
• Experience managing attorneys and paralegals
• Driven and self-motivated with a strong desire for learning
• Extremely organized with a strong sense of priority, urgency, and commitment to deadlines
• Ability to manage a heavy workload and prioritize multiple projects
• Ability to work independently while functioning well in a team environment
• Ability to understand general business operations, issues, and dynamics beyond the scope of basic legal issues
• Strong presentation and computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Word, PowerPoint & Excel)

Additional Considerations:

• Travel Expectation: ~15%
• Location for this role is Eden Prairie, MN

Work Environment/Physical Demands:
Approximately 100% of the work is performed in an office environment (whether remote or at SunOpta's office). Many SunOpta employees enjoy the benefits of the SunFlex program, where certain days of the week are designated for in-person (in-office) collaboration meetings and other days are available for remote (off-site) work and virtual meetings. This hybrid approach to work is designed to enable flexibility and support of SunOpta's business needs.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED
Other details

• Job Family Administrative
• Pay Type Salary
• Employment Indicator Regular
• Travel Required Yes
• Required Education Doctorate

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