Sr. Counsel, Litigation, Regulatory, and Compliance, UNFI

UNFI is looking for a Sr. Counsel, Litigation, Regulatory, and Compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage relevant litigation and pre-litigation issues, including the development and implementation of settlement and mediation strategies, in a manner that protects the best interests of the Company, as well as the Company’s integrity, reputation, assets, officers and employees, while ensuring the Company operates in compliance with all laws and regulations.
• Assist in the management of both low- and high-exposure litigated claims; analyze legal and factual issues, claims and defenses; manage outside counsel and litigation budgets and develop processes and criteria for measuring and evaluating counsel performance; assist in responding to discovery and fulfilling eDiscovery and disclosure obligations; provide analysis and input regarding potential exposures and formulate settlement authority requests.
• Provide guidance to the Company on avoiding litigation exposure, including through training.
• Assist in achieving the Legal Department’s diversity and inclusion goals, including by seeking diverse outside counsel
• Drive several Corporate Ethics & Compliance Program strategic goals:
• Develop and launch Ethics & Compliance Program intranet site for associates to easily locate resources, training, communication, and engage directly with the Ethics & Compliance team
• Work with Communications and other internal stakeholders to develop Ethics & Compliance branding for intranet site, communications, and training materials
• Develop Ethics & Compliance training/communication plan around key compliance issues with regular cadence of communications to help support associate awareness and decision-making
• Perform other compliance duties as assigned by Sr. Director and/or CCO to support development, implementation, and daily operational tasks for maintaining an effective Corporate Ethics & Compliance Program
• Provide legal advice and handle Company-wide regulatory compliance matters pertaining to USDA/FDA/FTC/CPSC and applicable state laws and regulations around food and product safety, labeling, claims, and marketing/advertising; transportation; government contracting; and hazardous waste management and/or other environmental compliance matters
• Develop regulatory compliance policies and procedures as needed
• Interact with federal and state regulatory agencies as needed (e.g., responding to inquiries, inspection observations, and enforcement actions)
• Maintain awareness of relevant legal climate, current case law decisions and professional expertise through the review of legal publications, seminar/conference attendance, etc.
• Work collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders and develop strong partnerships with operating leaders by providing excellent legal guidance and facilitating efficient resolution of commercial questions
• Develop a thorough understanding of and familiarity with UNFI’s business, products and future goals
• Perform other relevant job duties as required.

Qualifications and Skills

• Education/ Certifications: (Required/Preferred-list requirement is required or preferred)
• Undergraduate degree from a well-known university/college combined with a J.D. from a highly respected law school.
• Membership in good standing to at least one state bar – Rhode Island or Minnesota preferred – and the ability to register as an “in-house counsel” pursuant to applicable state court rules.
• Certified Compliance & Ethics progressions (CCEP) preferred.
• Experience:
• 7+ years of legal experience gained in a law firm environment and/or in-house legal department, with focus in litigation and regulatory compliance. In-house experience strongly preferred.
• 3-4 years related experience in Corporate Ethics & Compliance Program roles (preferred)
• Experience in wholesale distribution and retail industries is a plus

Skills

• Possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Fulsome understanding of US Sentencing Guidelines and DOJ’s expectations for effective corporate compliance programs (a plus)
• Knowledge of privacy security law is a plus

Skills/ Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Must be a team player, willing to jump in and help out wherever needed on projects
• Must be a quick learner with strong internal motivation and possess initiative, integrity and resilience
• Ability to present information and reports to management timely, clearly and concisely
• Ability to collaborate, build relationships, gain credibility and partner with others in a complex organization in pursuit of the best possible business and legal terms
• Strong project management skills and work ethic, with great attention to details and a “roll up the sleeves” attitude
• Ability to navigate, be comfortable with and have the flexibility to adjust in, a collaborative, intense, fast-paced, results-oriented environment
• Creative and innovative mindset to develop engaging training/communication materials
• Strong, pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize and communicate the business consequences of legal advice
• Willingness and ability to travel, as necessary

• Some travel may be required

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment

• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at desk or computer terminal

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.

• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone and other office equipment in the course of normal workday

• Stooping, bending, twisting and reaching may be required in completion of job duties

To Apply:

https://jobs.unfi.com/jobs/sr-counsel-litigation-regulatory-compliance-14669