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Posted September 20, 2020

General Counsel

Monogram Foods
Memphis, TN Full Time

As a member of the executive management team, the general counsel is functionally responsible for all legal affairs for Monogram Food Solutions, LLC...

As a member of the executive management team, the general counsel is functionally responsible for all legal affairs for Monogram Food Solutions, LLC and for each of its wholly owned subsidiaries. This position is based at the Company’s headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee.

Role of the General Counsel

The general counsel acts as the legal advisor to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, other senior executives of Monogram Foods, and other team members throughout Monogram Foods with corporate legal needs. This person has the responsibility and obligation to identify, develop, communicate, and monitor policies which will ensure compliance with law by the entire company. The general counsel has the responsibility for assuring the availability, continuity and quality of competent, timely, and cost-efficient legal services throughout the company and its subsidiaries.

This position has a major role in providing legal advice in areas of significant company-wide impact, including the development of the corporate strategic plan, the evaluation of new ventures, acquisitions, mergers, and divestments, the evaluation of major investment proposals, negotiation of material contracts on behalf of the company, managing outside counsel, and risk assessment and dispute resolution in areas related to labor and employment law.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Strategies: Defines and develops corporate strategies, policies, procedures, and programs. Provides counsel and guidance on legal implications of all matters to the Board of Directors and members of executive management. Converts firm strategies and policies into specific objectives for subordinate areas of responsibility and monitors the accomplishment of such objectives.

Legal Issues: Reconciles and determines the legal position in major legal matters. Reviews, evaluates, and comments on material obligations of the company, and advises the appropriate function head of the degree of legal risk associated with such contracts and obligations prior to the company becoming a party or otherwise becoming legally bound. Assesses the merits of commencing any litigation against third parties or any litigation matters threatened or pending against the company and approves, with the advice of the appropriate function head, settlement of such court cases where warranted.

Budget: Determines the annual budget for the company's anticipated legal expenses and monitors the administration of the current budget. Seeks to minimize the use and cost of external counsel, but only as is wise and prudent. Evaluates the legal risks to which the company may be exposed in order to allow these risks to be accurately reflected in the firm's financial statements.

Board of Directors: Advises the Board of Directors and other members of executive management of the impact on the activities and proposed activities of the firm of proposed local, state, and federal laws and regulations and judicial and administrative decisions.

Policies and Records: Provides legal consulting in policy development and training with regard to preventative law. Develops or improves current legal prototype documents, such as NDA’s, standard co-manufacturing agreements, and broker agreements. Guides and directs the preparation, maintenance, and retention of the records of the firm for both physical and electronic copy. Tracks legal documents to ensure the timely renewal and transition from active to terminated.

Contract Negotiation: Works with management on the negotiation of company contracts. Drafts contracts as needed in the ordinary course of business and works with external counsel as needed to draft and negotiate material company contracts.

External Counsel: Evaluates and selects appropriate outside counsel based on the respective legal matter. Negotiates outside counsel rates/fees and estimates appropriate billable hours on a case by case basis. Oversees performance of outside counsel and authorizes actions to be executed based on legal advice. Seeks a high level of effectiveness and efficiency from outside counsel.

Special Projects: Undertakes special projects as assigned dependent upon knowledge or experience.

Other General Counsel responsibilities include:

Serving as the Corporate Secretary and carrying out the duties in accordance with the Company’s Operating Agreement;

Preparing the minutes of meetings with the Board of Directors and Annual Shareholder Meeting;

Interfacing with legal counsel from the Company’s customers and suppliers in the creation, negotiation, and finalization of legal documents;

Interfacing with legal counsel for the Company’s insurance companies related to administration and settlement of claims;

Reviewing and approving public communications like press releases, online media, and website;

Potentially serving as spokesperson for the Company, as needed;

Reviewing and approving formal communications with shareholders, such as quarterly and annual business reports;

Formulation and involvement in administration of corporate policies involving law, such as “Conflict of Interest” and ”Standards of Business Conduct”;

Counseling on legislation and government relations;

Leading the application and administration of grants and incentives such as economic development incentive programs; and

Seeking input from operating unit management as to the quality, timeliness, and responsiveness of legal support.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

JD from an accredited law school; Licensed to practice law and in good standing

Minimum 15-20 years of professional experience, in-house counsel experience is a plus.

At least 2-3 years of experience at a consumer packaged goods company preferred—food manufacturing or related industry experience preferred.

Geographic Location – Based in Memphis, Tennessee headquarters of Monogram. Some travel to various Monogram locations is required on an as-needed basis.

Extensive experience in business contract development, management and negotiations

General knowledge of relevant state and federal environmental laws (including but not limited to those related to the manufacture, distribution and disposal of food industry products).

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Key Competencies

Business acumen

Judgement

Communication skills

Integrity and ethics

Leadership

Collaboration

Management skills (including ability to involve and coordinate internal and external resources, as well as delegate and supervise)

Legal knowledge and expertise

Reporting Relationship – Reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible to the Board of Directors.

This listing expired on Nov 20. Applications are no longer accepted.

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