Senior Legal Counsel - Distribution & GTRPERNOD RICARD

As the Distribution Legal Counsel & Global Travel Retail, you will be part of the Global Markets Team, providing strategic legal advice with high autonomy on distribution and consumer law matters in all geographies in which the Group is present, particularly with focus on the EU, while continuing to support the lawyers & business teams of the Management Entities in their daily missions & strategic/regional commercial projects. This position is expected to support also the business of Global Travel Retail for global coordination purposes.

You will assist the Legal Director Global Markets in animating the community globally, carrying out the implementation of the Legal Transformation at the Management Entity level for the legal function.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Act as a business legal advisor and point of contact to the commercial & business development teams at HQ - Advise and support commercial negotiations lead by HQ Teams with international on & off premise clients, be key point of contact for Alternate Route to Market Initiatives

• Lead the preparation, drafting, and negotiation of complex Group strategic & international commercial contracts, with a strong focus on EU distribution and consumer law (e.g., exclusive distribution agreements, indirect procurement related to market companies, etc.) across multiple markets

• Oversee contract lifecycle management , including drafting renewal amendments, letters of formal notice or termination, and ensuring accurate record-keeping in the Group database.

• Lead pre-litigation and litigation related to HQ agreements related to distribution & strategic affiliate litigation: breach of contract, abrupt termination of commercial relationships, etc.

• Supervise and monitor all significant distribution/sales issues across Management Entities, with special support and attention given to GTR business (International Duty Free)

• Help manage risks at global level in relation to the operations of the markets

• Support the implementation of Group policies across the markets

• Ensure proximity between HQ and the various markets as the role will serve as a touch point for the legal & business teams within the MEs, providing, when necessary, direct legal service to affiliates

• Co-animate and exchange within the legal community across the MEs through the MELD Forum & working groups  

• Contribute to the harmonization of legal ways of working and tools across the various markets working hand in hand with the Legal Excellence team

SKILLS YOU WILL NEED

You will need to be a legal counsel (lawyer or legal counsel), with 6+ years of experience in an international law firm and/or in the legal department of a large international group, preferably with experience in FMCG and Global Travel Retail.

Background knowledge of distribution and consumer law is required, especially in the context of alcohol and/or FMCG industries.

Transactional experience with distribution agreements, litigation related to distribution agreements, competition law and unfair competition knowledge is highly appreciated.

We will also be looking for you to demonstrate:

• Business Acumen - basic financial knowledge

• Approachability & Influence skills - ability to interact at all levels of organization in changing and challenging situations

• Ability to work as part of a team, strong collaboration skills & proactive mindset

• Flexibility & high autonomy

• Ethics and Values

Languages required: Excellent English, both oral and written, French highly appreciated.