Senior Legal Counsel

Job Description Summary

The Senior Legal Counsel provides comprehensive legal support for Lindt & Sprüngli North America and its affiliated brands (including Ghirardelli Chocolate Company and Russell Stover Chocolates), advising on a broad range of corporate, commercial, and operational matters. This role supports multiple business divisions, including logistics, procurement, sales, IT, and operations, while serving as a trusted legal partner to senior leadership. The Senior Legal Counsel manages outside counsel, monitors legal and regulatory developments, executes legal and compliance training, and leads key legal operational initiatives. The role works closely with internal stakeholders across functions and regions to ensure legal risks are identified, managed, and aligned with business objectives, while supporting day-to-day business needs and strategic projects.

Essential Functions

Comprehensive support in all legal matters of the following business divisions:

• Corporate Governance, incl. Risk Reporting
• Logistics & Construction
• Co-Man/Co-Pack
• Procurement
• Sales
• IT
• Retail Leases
• Insurance (notify claims adjuster, manage insurance counsel)
• Bankruptcies

Legal support of all functions: LS Mexico or LS Canada (in accordance with Delivery Model)

Ownership And Execution Of Legal Operational Topics, Such As

• Execute Legal & Compliance Trainings (per Group Legal & IP)
• Outside Counsel Management (incl. implementation and compliance of OCG)
• Monitor legal developments in areas of responsibility and inform stakeholders and business partners
• Ad hoc projects

Basic Qualifications

• U.S. Qualified lawyer with strong academic record
• At least 5-7 years legal post-qualification experience, preferably including time spent both with a leading law firm and in-house with a large multinational corporation
• Demonstrated experience in food law and/or FDA regulations is an advantage
• “Hands-on” commercial & contract legal experience, including international experience
• Experience and success in working with senior management and international environments
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively with others at all levels of the organization and with outside counsel
• Strong advocacy skills, including the ability to effectively and efficiently communicate in writing and orally, an aptitude for practical negotiation with both legal and commercial issues, and the capability to think clearly and quickly under pressure
• A strong commitment to integrity and professionalism, and a passion for excellence
• Self-starter with a hands-on, entrepreneurial, solution-oriented and flexible approach
• Positive work attitude and the ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team, in a fast-paced working environment (managing numerous legal matters with changing priorities and deadlines)

Travel Requirements: Limited amount of travel is required

Language Requirements

• English (fluency)
• Other languages are an advantage

Company Description

Lindt and Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is the Supply Chain and Business Shared Services Company supporting the Lindt & Sprüngli family of brands (Lindt USA, Ghirardelli Chocolates and Russell Stover Chocolates), headquartered in Kansas City, MO.

Employment by Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, and satisfactory employment and background checks.

Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. Principals only, please.