Director, Legal Affairs

At Saputo, our best comes from our people. We’re a talented and caring team with a longstanding history of excellence. Since our first days delivering cheese on a bicycle, we’ve grown into a leading global dairy processor by staying true to the culture that defines us. Each of our employees is committed to uphold our tradition of care, quality, and passion through food, and together, we foster an environment where we can all make contributions that matter–from our manufacturing plants to our office locations and everywhere in-between.

Overview of the Role

To meet its expanding needs, Saputo is recruiting a Director, Legal Affairs with experience in commercial law. Reporting to the Vice President, Legal Affairs, the successful candidate will work as a member of the legal team supporting all areas of Saputo’s U.S. business.

How you will make contributions that matter

As a member of the legal team supporting Saputo’s U.S. business, your main tasks include:

Contracts and Negotiation

• Identify and advise business stakeholders on potential legal risks and provide relevant mitigation strategies;
• Draft, analyze, review, interpret and negotiate complex commercial contracts (including with customers, suppliers and other partners);

Business Advice

• Provide legal opinions and strategic advice to management;
• Collaborate directly with senior leaders to support the Company’s day-to-day business operations;
• Provide ongoing legal support to service departments and business units in connection with the Company’s operations;

Compliance

• Support business activities to ensure compliance with the Company’s policies, standards and objectives, contractual obligations, and relevant laws and regulations;
• Monitor changes in legislation and jurisprudence that may have an impact on the Company’s operations;
• Proactively identify issues of major legal importance;
• Possibility to supervise member(s) of the team and ensure, through coaching and regular feedback, their development of competencies and knowledge, as well as support them in their career objectives;
• Provide leadership and direction to team colleagues working collaboratively on files that require timely and effective resolution.

You are best suited for the role if you have the following qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of pertinent experience in commercial law as an attorney at a large law firm or corporation;
• Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L. or LL.L.) and member of the Barreau du Québec.
• Bachelor of Common Law (LL.B.), an asset
• Experience in the food and beverage industry would be an asset, but not a requirement;
• Strong legal capabilities, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Strong leadership qualities, sound judgment and self-confidence, including proven ability to supervise and execute complex mandates autonomously and in a team environment;
• Results driven and ability to “think outside of the box”;
• Sound business and legal judgement;
• Strong business acumen;
• Ability to work independently / autonomously and take charge of files;
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage and execute high volume and variety of requests simultaneously;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and effectively internally with multi-disciplinary teams and externally with business and legal professionals;
• Experience managing and coaching others;
• Highly ethical and accountable;
• Strong team player and collaborative;
• Available to travel occasionally.
• Fluently bilingual in English and French (spoken and written).

We support and care for our employees and their families by providing:

• Competitive salaries
• Advantageous corporate agreements
• Full range of group insurance benefits
• Group retirement pension plan with employer contribution
• Purchase option of company stocks
• Group RRSP
• Health and wellness program in the workplace
• Assistance program for employees and their families
• Saputo products at a discounted price

We support employment equity. Saputo strives to embed diversity and inclusion in its operations and invites candidates from all horizons to join its family.

Our story began in Canada in 1954, when the Saputo family's hard work and dedication created a thriving dairy business. More than 65 years later, our roots in this country remain strong with our Corporate Headquarters in Montréal. Today, we are a leading cheese manufacturer and fluid milk and cream processor in Canada with well-loved brands, such as Saputo, Alexis de Portneuf, Armstrong, Baxter, Dairyland, Joyya, Milk2Go, Milk2Go Sport, Neilson, Nutrilait, Scotsburn* and Woolwich Goat Dairy. Thanks to our national footprint, we're proud to bring our best to our customers and consumers, and have plenty of opportunities for our employees to grow in their own way. And we do it while also striving to build a healthier future for our people and the communities where we operate, guided by our values and the Saputo Promise. To learn more about Saputo in Canada, please click here. ( )

Join the Saputo Dairy Products Canada team to make your contributions matter every day!

• SCOTSBURN is a registered trademark and is used under license by Saputo Dairy Products Canada G.P.

The material contained herein is provided for informational purposes only. All open jobs offered by Saputo Inc. and all companies, corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships and other entities controlled by Saputo Inc. (collectively, “Saputo”) on Saputo's web site are subject to specific job skill requirements. The job skill requirements, qualifications, and preferred experience are determined by a Saputo subsidiary, office or department, and all positions are subject to local prevailing employment laws and restrictions. This would include immigration laws pertaining to work authorization requirements and any other applicable government permissions or compliance. The materials on this site are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information contained on this site or in any referenced links. While Saputo attempts to update this site on a timely basis, the information is effective only as of the time and date of posting. Strict confidentiality will be observed at all times. Saputo is an equal opportunity employer. The information on this site is for information purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon with legal consequence.

Saputo welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations may be available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

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