Senior Legal Counsel

This is the second new senior legal role which we have created to support the evolution of the Pernod Ricard group’s Global Procurement function. 

New approach : Pernod Ricard’s new procurement approach makes greater use of its global scale to strengthen the position of its affiliates, whilst maintaining brand identities. The approach aims to lift procurement from ‘good’ to ‘great’ by accelerating procurement transformation to deliver new, holistic value creation, enabled by best-in-class legal support. (This is not simply about margin improvement – it’s about delivering greater overall value for our group, including in terms of sustainability , security of supply and accelerated innovation .)

New team : Our new core ‘global procurement’ legal team will consist initially of two Senior Legal Counsel working alongside the Head of Legal for Global Procurement . That team is integrated within Pernod Ricard’s Global Procurement Team , which works in partnership with the other lawyers and procurement professionals throughout the Pernod Ricard group to support global procurement operations.

Global role : This new senior legal role is primarily tasked with supporting the Pernod Ricard group’s global procurement operations. Initial focus is on ‘direct sourcing’, starting with packaging for wine and spirits products. Our Senior Legal Counsel will work directly with our new Global Category Teams for printed materials , glass and closures supply, which are based at Brand Companies in Scotland and in France. (Pernod Ricard operates through a decentralised organisation built around three entities: Brand Companies in charge of production and overall strategy for the brands, Market Companies , linked to regions, in charge of distribution and activation of the brand portfolio, and finally the Headquarters , located in Paris, in charge of overall strategy.)

Chivas support : Our new lawyers will be employed via Pernod Ricard SA. In addition to supporting global procurement, our new Senior Legal Counsel will also form part of Chivas legal team, providing direct legal support both to Chivas companies and to our two UK-based Market Companies as an ancillary part of their role (particularly in connection with commercial and supply chain related matters).

The main responsibilities are:

In co-ordination with the other members of the team, the Senior Legal Counsel will be responsible for:

RFx activity : Supporting Pernod Ricard’s Global Procurement operations – including preparing RFx materials, negotiating with event participants, assessing participant submissions, reporting to and advising the Category teams and helping manage the award of business (including localisation and associated documentation). This includes use of the group’s e-procurement and contract/matter management systems, e-signing tools and other digital solutions.

Supply contracts : Drafting/revising, reviewing, advising on and negotiating contracts in partnership with procurement specialists and other key stakeholders. 

Continuous improvement : Proactively contributing to the development of legal templates and other legal tools to support global procurement and supply chain functions, developing and delivering training and associated materials on relevant subjects and helping maintain excellence in legal service provision.

Advice & support : Providing legal advice and commercial risk analysis to teams regarding the legal implications of their business activities and supporting our legal teams and other key stakeholders in connection with disputes and other business challenges.

Compliance : Helping maintain appropriate corporate governance and providing support on compliance projects.

Communication : Communicating with the wider business (including Pernod Ricard HQ, affiliated companies, external advisers and other departments) as required.

Records & reports : Keeping accurate and up-to-date records of all contracts, cases and projects and preparing regular reports on legal matters for senior management.

External advice : Managing external legal counsel and managing legal spend on allocated matters within budgeted amounts. (Where possible, legal support is sourced internally within our group, with external appointment in exceptional cases only.)

The profile required is :

7+ years of experience in a similar position in an international FMCG company or related industry.

We are seeking a senior commercial contracts expert who has a commercial mindset and experience in procurement. 

This person should:

Contracts knowledge : have solid experience in commercial contract work at a reputable commercial law firm and/or equivalent in-house environment (advanced drafting skills are essential, associated intellectual property knowledge would be useful and international contracting experience would be highly beneficial);

PQE : be a qualified solicitor/attorney with a current practising certificate (with a minimum of 8-10 years relevant PQE);

Procurement experience : have some procurement experience, ideally including RFx operations as well as supply contract drafting/negotiation (product packaging procurement and/or other goods procurement experience would be highly beneficial too);

Digital literacy : be proficient in using O365 (particularly MS Word and MS Excel) and be eager to leverage appropriate technology to meet our business goals in a more efficient and effective manner;

Teamwork : be comfortable working collectively as part of a team of lawyers and procurement professionals spread over multiple locations (whose operating method is based on transparency in our dialogue, openness to others and respect for what makes us different) – but also make decisions and work independently in supporting the team’s strategy and objectives, when required;

Mindset : have a commercial mindset (including an ability to offer practical advice and solutions, taking into account their business context) built on a strong set of ethics – which goes beyond a ‘traditional legal approach’ to embrace a more creative and innovative style to drive continuous improvement, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit of our business; and

Professional : have strong organisational skills with particular attention to detail, a disciplined approach, flexible attitude and capability of prioritising in the face of competing demands from multiple teams at multiple affiliates - and have excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills (this role requires effective communication with the senior management of multiple teams across Pernod Ricard’s affiliates and negotiation with senior representatives from our supply chain partners).

Job Posting End Date:

Target Hire Date :

Target End Date :

Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €8,448 million in FY20.

Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines.

Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders.

The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics, as illustrated by the 2030 Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “Good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis.

Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company.