Legal Associates

Join our team as a Legal Associate, supporting key operations and ensuring compliance with legal standards. If you excel in contract management, risk assessment, and cross-functional collaboration, and thrive in dynamic settings, we’d love to hear from you!

REPORTING AND ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Director, Legal and Corporate Services

Liaise internally: Human Resource Department and Accounting Department

Liaise externally: Suppliers and Regulatory Bodies

CORE FUNCTION

• The Legal Associate directly reports to the Director of Legal and Corporate Services and is responsible for assisting with the operations of this department.
• The Associate is required to assist in engaging a systematic approach to complete all projects, tasks, and duties to be performed in the department cost-efficiently and timely.
• The Associate will also be an intermediary between the Human Resources, Accounting, and Legal and Corporate Services Departments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Provide counsel and advice to cross-functional stakeholders and senior leaders on various issues related to our business sector, products, and services.
• Draft, review, and negotiate various commercial contracts and agreements, such as vendor contracts, partnership agreements, and employment contracts, to ensure they are legally binding, accurate, and reflect our business objectives. Interpret contract requirements, manage contract performance and ensure compliance with contractual terms.
• Stay up-to-date with changes to legislation, particularly in relation to laws, rules and regulations that directly affect our business and specific industry.
• Support the development of training materials, guidance documents, and relevant employee and contractor training.
• Manage the organization’s insurance portfolio and intellectual property portfolio.
• Communicate with and manage relationships with outside counsel and auditors.
• Represent the company in legal proceedings.
• Develop and oversee the legal department budget.
• Oversee compliance with applicable laws and regulations and conduct legal research and analysis.
• Identify, manage and mitigate legal risks by designing and implementing company policies and procedures.
• Collect, examine, and organize evidence and other legal documents for attorney review and case preparations.
• Establish and organize legal files; monitor litigation and other calendars.
• Prepare discovery requests to facilitate informed decision-making.
• Communicate with employees and other stakeholders to schedule meetings, interviews, and statement recordings regarding disciplinary hearings, personal injury matters, and other related matters.
• Assist with disciplinary hearings, preparations, and executions.
• Monitor all investigative and disciplinary hearings files.
• Draft and proofread correspondence and legal documents, such as pleadings and contracts.
• Research regulations, laws, and legal articles to assist with preparing reports, case files, and legal advice.
• Compile, manage, and execute bills, resolve billing issues and ensure payments are made timely and efficiently in collaboration with the Accounting Department.
• Manage, organize, and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing systems.
• Collaborate with other department managers to develop the organization’s policies on industry- specific issues, corporate governance, or regulatory affairs.
• Prepare and file required government reports.
• Assist with the monitoring and management of the company’s asset register
• Perform any other related duties assigned.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelor of Laws Degree or its equivalent
• Bar membership in good standing.
• A minimum of 2 years work experience in a similar position.
• Sound knowledge and experience in labour laws and relation would be an asset,
• A current Food Handler’s Permit

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface effectively with all levels of the organization and external parties.
• Exceptional negotiation skills with experience in managing complex deals and agreements.
• Proven experience in corporate governance, risk management, and compliance.
• Knowledge of statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to businesses, particularly within food
• and manufacturing industry.
• Sound understanding of how legal terms translate to business impact.
• Excellent team player with IQ and EQ.
• Proven ability to organize and manage own work to meet deadlines.
• Ability to collate, assess, prepare and present information to high standards.
• Ability to work with information technology and associated systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of data protection and confidentiality standards.