Mgr Legal LATAM

Position Title: Legal Manager Brazil& LATAMReports to Title: AGC International & Global Supply Chain, Regulatory and LitigationDept / Function: Law DepartmentLocation: Sao Paulo, Brazil.Summary:The Hershey Company is seeking a highly competent, detail-oriented attorney with at least five years of corporate / commercial experience to serve as Legal Manager- Brazil & LATAM This attorney will act as a corporate generalist and will support Hershey’s commercial functions in Brazil . The Legal Manager-Brazil & LATAM will be responsible for providing legal advice and counseling on a wide variety of commercial and corporate matters and strategic issues. Other focal points of the position will be cooperating on enterprise-wide global agreements, drafting of distribution relationships and agreements, accompanying commercial disputes, working on sales and marketing issues, regulatory and intellectual property matters, import/export, supply arrangements and agreements as well as employment and labour issues, tax matters and general commercial contracts. The position will also be responsible for assisting with litigation and pre-litigation activities in responsible jurisdictions. Proactively assisting on M & A transactions will be part of the job. The ideal candidate will have substantial in-house experience providing legal advice and counseling on general corporate, commercial and long term strategic matters.Major Duties / Responsibilities:Commercial General 60%Serve as primary advisor, manager and negotiator of enterprise-wide global commercial agreements and contracts with suppliers, distributors, retailers and other third partiesProvide legal advice and counseling to global business partnersProvide long term strategic advice to the Brazilian & LATAM Leadership teamDevelop and implement strategies to ensure legally-compliant global commercial relationshipsManage commercial disputes and actively support with arbitration and litigation mattersPartner with other Hershey attorneys to provide “one voice to the business” on a wide-range of corporate and commercial-related matters, including intellectual property, ethics and compliance, corporate governance, regulatory, import/export, tax, M&A and procurementProactively support Hershey’s Global Ethics & Compliance Department to manage distributor due diligence matters throughout responsible jurisdictionsManage outside counsel support to ensure effective, business-focused legal advice is provided in a cost-effective mannerEmerging Legal Issues and Trends 20%Identify and help manage emerging legal trends and proactively develop strategies and tools that will help the business benefit from, and manage new risks associated with, such emerging trends and developmentsStayed informed of significant economic, political, regulatory and consumer/customer developments in responsible jurisdictions and communicate regularly with other members of the Law Department to ensure awareness and appropriate management of such developments and their potential impact on the businessProactively monitoring Brazilian & LATAM legislative activities and providing insight into government’s plans regarding foreign companies.Partner with Hershey’s government relations and corporate social responsibility teams to build and maintain appropriate relationships with government and other regulatory bodiesDepartment Management 20%Oversee outside counselManage legal budget and deliver support within budget parametersEffectively manage the Company’s electronic billing systemEducation:M.A. in LawAdmitted to practice in Brazil Experience:Minimum 5 years’ experience in a law firm or corporate department, which includes at least 3 years of substantial business counseling to clientsExperience advising on general commercial matters, including customer agreements, distribution matters, marketing support, labour and employment , M & A and procurementFamiliarity with regulatory requirements for food labeling, claims and customs preferredExperience drafting, negotiating and advising clients on commercial contracts (vendor, supply and distribution agreements).Skills and abilities required:Fluent written and spoken Portuguese and English language skills. Additional languages a plus, but not required.Strong commercial law skills. Additional experience in consumer products, operations, regulatory, import/export and/or compliance is preferred. Law firm and in-house candidates will be considered.Process-oriented team player with a strong focus on integrity and sharing capabilities.Bright, client-service oriented with the ability to create effective working relationships cross-functionally, including interfacing confidently with internal and external stakeholders on legal and business matters.Ability to work under pressure, handle multiple competing priorities, provide practical legal advice, and adapt to the external environment as organization evolves and grows.Possess strong writing, analytical, negotiating and communication skills.Ability to analyze advanced and complex transactions and propose innovative, creative and workable solutions.Ability to exercise independent informed and considered judgment with minimal supervision.Knowledge of and experience working under regulatory and legal requirements for a global U.S. multinational company (CPG or manufacturing preferred but not required) or similar relevant experience preferred.Experience working with Legal TrackerSerengeti or similar e-billing/matter management systems preferred, but not requiredExperience working in a matrix structure a plus.