Associate General Counsel

Schaeffler•Fort Mill, SC, SC

About The Position

The Associate General Counsel serves as primary counsel and negotiator for significant strategic customers and suppliers, partnering with Sales, Procurement, and business leadership to develop negotiation strategies, resolve contractual issues, and facilitate timely commercial transactions. The role advises Sales and business leaders on commercial deal strategy and contract terms, including customer requirements, pricing and payment terms, warranties, delivery obligations, liability limitations, indemnities, and remedies. It identifies and escalates material contractual risks and recommends practical alternatives that support business objectives while protecting the company. The position supports customer and defense-prime negotiations involving long-term supply arrangements, price adjustments, forecasts, capacity commitments, and product or program changes. It reviews proposals, quotation requests, and other customer solicitations, advising on exceptions, assumptions, and proposed contractual terms. The role also improves legal processes and templates; guides management through complex contract negotiations; manages employment-related matters and litigation; liaises with outside counsel; manages cross-functional compliance projects; develops and delivers legal training; analyzes and maintains standard contracts and other business documents; and monitors legislative changes.

Requirements

Law degree from an accredited school.
Admitted to the Bar and in good standing in any U.S. state.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Five years of experience in U.S. government contracting, evaluating and negotiating applicable government contracting requirements such as FAR/DFAR provisions.
Prior in-house experience working within a global manufacturing environment.
Must be authorized to work in the United States without employment visa or other sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting commercial sales teams, including negotiating customer agreements and advising on pricing, delivery, warranty, indemnification, liability, and other commercial terms.
Ability to work independently and as a productive member of a team.
Familiarity and background in litigation.
Experience in contract drafting and negotiation.
International law experience.
Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
Ability to lead projects and set goals and objectives for cross-functional teams.
Ability to travel.

Responsibilities

Serve as primary counsel and negotiator for significant strategic customers and suppliers.
Work with Sales, Procurement, and business leadership to develop negotiation strategies, resolve contractual issues, and facilitate timely commercial transactions.
Advise Sales and business leadership on commercial deal strategy and terms, including customer requirements, pricing and payment terms, warranties, delivery obligations, liability limitations, indemnities, and remedies.
Identify and escalate material contractual risks and recommend practical alternatives that support business objectives while protecting the company.
Support customer and defense-prime negotiations involving long-term supply arrangements, price adjustments, forecasts, capacity commitments, and product or program changes.
Review requests for proposals, requests for quotation, and other customer solicitation documents; advise on exceptions, assumptions, and proposed contractual terms.
Implement and recommend improvements to legal process policies and templates.
Guide management through complex contract negotiations in assigned functions.
Manage employment-related issues and litigation from inception through resolution.
Liaise between management and outside counsel on various matters.
Manage cross-functional legal compliance projects.
Develop and present training materials and seminars on legal topics.
Analyze and maintain standard contracts and other business documents.
Keep abreast of legislative changes.