As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter threats to their crops and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food for all – while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs.

Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting. From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold.

Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland.

Legal Counsel EAME (m/f/d)

Syngenta is looking for a qualified lawyer and attorney-at-law, who is passionate about commercial contracts and their business context as well as supervising litigation, the application of competition laws, compliance with regulatory requirements and committed to realize her/his potential as a key member of the Syngenta EAME Legal Department.

In this role, you will act as the legal partner for parts of Syngenta’s EAME business, mainly by covering procurement, supply and other commercial contracts, as well as litigation matters, regulatory and administrative law files, by partnering with the respective business teams and by acting as the legal representative for these areas, providing pro-active and in-depth legal as well as overall IP and compliance advice contributing to the delivery of Syngenta’s business strategy. The individual will be based in Basel, Switzerland.

Your responsibilities:

• Work with and support of members of the EAME business units and other members of the Legal Department in achieving their objectives in a resource-efficient manner by providing high-quality, proactive, objective and commercially orientated source of legal services and advice.
• Support the implementation and operation of new lines of business, including digital and service offerings.
• Understand and apply new regulatory requirements by using a risk-based approach ensuring compliance.
• Liaise with other functional departments within Syngenta, and act as the point of co-ordination to secure proper implementation of Syngenta business proposals and projects, including working closely across product lines and geographies.
• Assess proposed commercial relationships in order to ensure that their implications are fully understood, to structure and to draft/negotiate and finalize definitive agreements to ensure these relationships are properly defined and recorded.
• Draft, review and advise on general terms and conditions to protect Syngenta’s commercial and legal interests in standard commercial relationships.
• Manage, where required, third party claims by or against Syngenta in relation to its overall activities with a view to recovering losses incurred or to minimizing damages claimed.
• Ensure, so far as practicable, in respect of assigned work projects and areas of responsibility, that the activities of Syngenta are conducted legally and in accordance with Syngenta Group policies and promptly to report any activities which are not believed to be being so conducted.
• Develop and continuously improve knowledge and expertise in key areas of law that are central to the attainment of the objectives and strategy of Syngenta.
• Facilitate and manage key interactions/relationship with other positions: at all levels of seniority within Syngenta; internal and external lawyers; and business and legal personnel employed by major competitors, customers, and suppliers.

What we are looking for:

• Legal Master’s degree (preferably with bar exam) obtained in Switzerland or an EU jurisdiction and 5+ years post-qualification experience in commercial environment to commercial, intellectual property, product liability, data privacy and competition laws ideally in a multinational company or a top tier law firm
• Any previous work for EU institutions and/or professional experience in applying EU and/or administrative law would be an advantage
• Exposure to complex legal problems in an international setting, such as licensing or M&A transactions
• High aptitude to learn quickly, assimilate to new teams and projects, and work well under pressure with appropriate attention to detail
• Strong project management and interpersonal skills with ability to work on multiple projects and within diverse teams
• Proven continuous improvement mindset with high levels of analytical and conceptual competencies to structure business proposals and translate them into a suitable legal framework
• Excellent German and English written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present effectively.

What we offer:

• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment 
• Flexible working arrangements and environment with an open culture and diverse workforce
• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees
• Learning culture and a wide range of training options
• You will profit from an onsite doctor, gym, canteen, and other benefits 

Interested? We look forward to receiving your online application including all relevant documents (cover letter, CV, diploma, certificates) – reference number 18050538.

Did you know? Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal.

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status