General Counsel

The General Counsel oversees and manages the provision of all legal services to the Krusteaz Company to ensure maximum protection of its legal rights and to maintain its operations within the limits prescribed by law. Provides strategic guidance, consultation, and support to senior company leaders on a comprehensive range of legal and associated issues involved in carrying out the Company’s business. Reports directly to the Company Chief Financial Officer.

Essential Functions: Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

• Provides legal counsel and guidance to the officers of the Company and other upper management on all legal matters, including contracts, trademarks, marketing, product quality, employment, claims and disputes, insurance, tax, and regulatory matters.
• Serves as a partner in the business and trusted counsel to company leaders.
• Anticipates and identifies legal issues and counsels upper management in order to develop legal strategies and solutions.
• Drafts, reviews, and approves policies and procedures, regulations, bylaws, and other legal documents.
• Partners with the business and leads contract drafting and negotiation with external parties.
• Designs, establishes, and maintains an organizational structure to effectively accomplish the organization's goals and objectives.
• Develops and manages annual budgets for the organization and performs periodic cost and productivity analyses.
• Selects and retains outside counsel, as required, to obtain legal opinions or to handle claims and litigation.
• Supervises legal work of outside counsel; consults on difficult or sensitive issues.
• Provides training to the Company on various legal issues through seminars and meetings.
• Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest developments in law.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals qualified with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to develop and deliver presentations.
• Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Ability to provide competent legal advice and counsel to executive leaders on a wide range of legal issues.
• Ability to analyze and interpret issues and to prepare legal opinions.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Knowledge of current and developing legal issues and trends in area of expertise.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate the work of legal professionals, paraprofessionals, and consultants.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of legal research.
• Employee development and performance management skills.
• Negotiating skills.
• Strong knowledge of contract law.
• Knowledge of legal documentation procedures and requirements.
• Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.

Education and/or Experience:

• J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school; 10-15 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Member of WA State Bar.

The policy of The Krusteaz Company is to hire, train, and promote all persons in all job groups in accordance with law, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital or military status, national origin, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law.

• A people-focused company that cares: We’re a 90-year-old company with the entrepreneurial spirit of a startup and a focused eye on the future. As a midsized, privately-held company with a portfolio of beloved food and beverage brands, our people are the most important ingredient in our success.
• A valued and supported workforce: We place tremendous value in our employees and provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits to ensure our employees can create the best life for themselves. Benefits include a top tier health insurance plan with lower than average employee cost share, generous PTO, 401(k) match, and more.
• An engaged and energized culture: At The Krusteaz Company, collaboration and ingenuity drive our fierce commitment to creating extraordinary product experiences that people love.
• A place to grow and make a difference: An entrepreneurial spirit has been at the core of our company since the beginning, attracting self-starters who are curious and love to learn and to share ideas.

Hybrid Work Model: At the Krusteaz Company, we have in-office “core days” of Tuesdays and Wednesdays where all corporate employees are expected to be onsite. Monday, Thursdays, and Fridays are flexible remote days to allow for work/life balance. You may be asked to come in outside of a core day from time to time, based on business needs. We have found aligning our scheduled in-office days provides opportunity for employees to build connections and collaborate together.

Benefits: We are proud to offer generous benefits including comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance (starting at $45/month for employee only coverage), 401(K) matching, 4 weeks of paid vacation, 10 paid holidays, company provided life insurance and disability insurance, flexible spending account and tuition reimbursement.

Salary Information:

• An employee in this position can expect a salary range between $170,392 and $281,128 The actual salary offered will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including internal equity, experience, education, certification, training, and location. All positions are eligible for additional incentives based on business performance.

We hope you’ll take the time to get to know us!