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GEA is one of the largest suppliers for the food and beverage processing industry and a wide range of other process industries. Approximately 18,000 employees in more than 50 countries contribute significantly to GEA’s success – come and join them! We offer interesting and challenging tasks, a positive working environment in international teams and opportunities for personal development and growth in a global company.
To strengthen GEA’s Legal Operation unit in North America, GEA is looking for an experienced, business-minded lawyer. The position will be based in our Naperville office, but you will support GEA’s operations in the whole USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
You will report to the Senior Director responsible for Legal Operations in the Division Farm Technologies, who is based in Boenen, Germany. It is expected that you will work closely with other GEA lawyers responsible for the North America region and other regions.
You will provide legal assistance in respect of operational matters for GEA’s Division Farm Technologies in the above-mentioned countries. This will include drafting and negotiating distribution, commercial agency, sales, service and procurement agreements as well as support of project execution activities. You will need to effectively manage GEA’s outside law firms in this region. You will negotiate sales contracts for a diverse range of technologies and applications, support supply chain management, advise project managers in the execution of projects, manage formal dispute proceedings and train GEA employees in compliance, contracting and project execution matters.
Responsibilities / Tasks
You will especially handle the following tasks for Farm Technologies companies located in the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia:
Manage, negotiate and support the execution of all kind of operational contracts (especially distribution, commercial agency, sales, service and procurement agreements)
Support legal tech solutions helping to ensure resource-efficient legal support
Act as first point of contact for country/legal entity management.
Support the country/legal entity management and the compliance managers in ensuring overall compliance
Manage operational litigation / arbitration (related to sales/service/procurement/distribution law)
Provide general legal advice with regards to operational issues
Support developing and provide contract trainings to sales, service, procurement and other relevant functions in the organization
Provide compliance trainings in the organization
Support GEA’s preferred law firm concept
Ensure legal risk management and support finance in relation to assessment of operational risks, including participation in divisional RAAC meetings
Support specific M&A transactions
Your Profile / Qualifications
Educational Background
JD Degree, with excellent academic credentials from a reputable institution
license to practice in the State of Illinois (or other state)
Professional Knowledge and Experiences
Min. 5 years of experience as an in-house lawyer in an international company or in an international law office in the field of commercial or operational contracts and project business as well as in the field of handling (US-)disputes
Experience in another area than operational legal risks
International experience is beneficial
Hands-on mentality and business acumen
Well-developed and up-to-date knowledge in various legal areas (especially distribution and sales law)
Thorough understanding of business processes/ operations and personnel
Track record of managing contracts, litigation and operational compliance including deep knowledge regarding the integration of theory and principles with organizational/ operational practices
Other Skills & Competencies
English (proficient)
Willing to travel internationally
Very good analytical capabilities, problem-solving skills and ability to think strategically
Excellent negotiating and drafting skills in an international environment
Excellent communication skillls
Customer / service orientation
Adapts well to changes in assignments and priorities
Intercultural experience and skills
Interpersonal skills (power of persuasion, conviction and well-argued reasoning, proven to maintain and build up relationships and networks with relevant decision makers and stakeholders)
Internal Number: JR-0012258
About GEA Group
GEA is one of the largest technology suppliers for food processing and a wide range of other industries. The global group focuses on technologies, components and sustainable solutions for sophisticated production processes in diverse end-user markets.
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