General Counsel

  • Full-time
  • Department: Legal
  • Site Location: Minneapolis

Company Description

When it comes to being wild, we know a thing or two. We’re not afraid of trying something new or the hard work it takes to make it happen. It’s in our DNA. We’ve turned a family recipe into a new snacking category. And the wilderness into the world’s largest meat snack business, that’s still proudly family owned and operated.

We’re a company built by innovators, and are driven to not only satisfy your hunger, but to also feed your journey – whether that journey is on the road, on the run, at the campground, at the playground, in the office or in the moment. It’s a journey we share with you. It’s the journey forward of our people, of our communities, of our category…with a reverence for quality and an irreverence for the status quo.

At Jack Link’s Protein Snacks, we see every moment of every day as an opportunity to move forward, to forge new ground. To realize our vision of becoming the World’s #1 Protein Snack Company. We never give up. You never give up. Together, we keep going. Are you wild enough to join us?

Jack Link’s Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Family-owned and operated with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s Protein Snacks also has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company is made up of over 4,000 passionate team members, across 11 countries, who share an uncompromising commitment to delivering awesome products and feeding the journey of those who move things forward. The Jack Link’s Protein Snacks portfolio of brands includes, Jack Link’s, Lorissa’s Kitchen, MATADOR Jerky, BiFi and Peperami.

Job Description

The General Counsel serves as the primary legal advisor for Jack Link’s supporting and guiding senior leadership and management across all Jack Links business units in the United States and Internationally. Successful candidate will have strong business acumen, effective interpersonal skills, exceptional written and verbal communication skills, a history of building effective teams, collaborative focus, strong financial acumen, and be intuitive, self-aware and strategic.  The successful candidate will perform a wide-range of transactional corporate legal work of varying complexity, including negotiating and drafting contracts and other documents, conducting complex legal research and regulatory review, representing our various interests, selecting/managing/guiding outside counsel (when appropriate), overseeing and building a top tier internal legal department, and providing strategic guidance to our internal business partners. United States CPG retail experience preferred.

The duties and responsibilities of this position shall consist of, but not limited to, the following:

  • Participate in the development of short and long-range goals and objectives to ensure achievement of our mission and vision and long-term strategic objectives while always doing so within our values.
  • Oversee all legal, regulatory and compliance matters, litigation management and advice to business units on a wide range of subject matter areas related to corporate, transactional, intellectual property, human resources, and technology, among others.
  • Support all acquisition-related activity
  • Support banking and treasury work
  • Lead risk management process including insurable and non-insurable risk management
  • Serve as an accountable, strategic business partner to global business unit leaders by providing timely, actionable, communication and guidance.  Provide legal and business perspective to the global leadership team on an ongoing basis. 
  • When applicable, effectively manage the selection, work product and expense of external providers.
  • Oversee legal repository and maintain internal protocols regarding document management and discovery.
  • Lead Corporate Governance and related initiatives.
  • Anticipate shifting market dynamics, educate target audiences, effectively communicate proactive strategies and successfully implement where approved.

Qualifications

Required Education/Experience:

  • Graduated from a leading, ABA accredited law school
  • Current active bar admission, Wisconsin or Minnesota preferred
  • Recognized in good standing without any adverse disciplinary events
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant, complex legal and business/financial experience required, which may include both law firm and in-house experience
  • Experience effectively advising on and managing consumer-facing and service-related issues and contracts, as well as complex commercial transactions and ventures
  • Experience with multiple operation facilities and business relationships in multiple states and countries
  • Retail contracts, supply and co-manufacturing agreements, private label agreements, vendor contracts, service agreements, broker agreements

 REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE and ABILITIES:

  • Ability to assess and influence small and large teams to create change
  • Be a role model in all interactions demonstrating the Jack Link’s Values
  • Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment without loss of productivity
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; must work effectively with all levels of management and team members.
  • Effective interpersonal communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to diplomatically communicate needs and recommendations
  • Proven ability to build consensus across functions.
  • Ability to quickly analyze and process data and build a successful strategy to address changing dynamics
  • Actively seek to utilize a “Collaborative Team Approach” in all situations.
  • Demonstrated proactive style that ensures the completion of projects despite obstacles.
  • Ability to build robust partnerships and strong networking
  • Microsoft Office Skills - Strong Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills.

Additional Information

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Jack Link’s provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Jack Link’s is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.