Associate General Counsel - US BU Counsel

Kraft Heinz • Chicago, IL

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

Kraft Heinz is seeking a highly competent, detail-oriented, and proactive leader and team player to serve as Associate General Counsel – US BU Counsel. This newly created role will provide primary legal support for two U.S. Business Units, serving as a trusted business partner to BU leadership and teams while enabling business objectives through timely, effective, practical, and creative legal advice. Reporting to the VP, Legal – US Commercial, Food Law & Regulatory, this role will partner closely with subject-matter experts across Legal, Regulatory, Government Affairs, and Communications. The Associate General Counsel will advise on a broad range of matters, including innovation, product claims, consumer and customer insights, marketing, advertising, partnerships, category management, sales, pricing, operations, manufacturing, and supply chain-related activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent credential from an accredited law school required.
• Member of a state bar in good standing required.
• Ability to obtain admission or appropriate corporate counsel license in the state of the candidate’s work location, as applicable.
• 10+ years of relevant legal experience, including law firm and in-house experience.
• Extensive experience counseling, drafting, and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements, including sales, supply, marketing, advertising, promotions, social media, retail, trade, and partnership agreements.
• Experience supporting marketing/advertising, corporate and retail sales, operations/supply chain, intellectual property, and/or regulatory matters.
• Experience with FDA, USDA, FTC, and antitrust regulations is critical.
• Experience negotiating commercial agreements with customers, retailers, suppliers, and marketing-related vendors or partners, including joint promotions, advertising, partnerships, and social media influencers.
• Experience in risk evaluation, management, mitigation, and remediation.
• Exceptional communicator with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical, business-oriented advice.
• Proven ability to facilitate challenging business discussions, build consensus, challenge the status quo, and drive resolution.
• Strong commercial judgment and business acumen, including a working understanding of financial metrics, P&L fundamentals, and budget management.
• Self-starter who can operate independently while collaborating effectively across an interdisciplinary legal team and cross-functional stakeholder groups.
• Strong research, analytical, negotiation, presentation, relationship-building, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to inspire trust and confidence with senior stakeholders and build strong relationships across the organization.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Committed to compliance, integrity, confidentiality, and continuous professional development.
• Respectful of individual differences and able to seek out, value, and incorporate diverse viewpoints.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a food and/or consumer-packaged goods company is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to assigned U.S. Business Units, providing day-to-day legal guidance that supports business priorities and mitigates legal, regulatory, reputational, and operational risk.
• Analyze and negotiate complex commercial transactions, including sales, supply, customer, retailer, marketing, advertising, promotions, social media, influencer, and partnership agreements.
• Advise on advertising, marketing communications, product claims, packaging, and claims substantiation to ensure materials are truthful, accurate, and compliant with applicable federal and state regulations and voluntary standards.
• Partner with Legal, Regulatory, Government Affairs, Communications, Supply Chain, Procurement, IS, and other functions to deliver clear, consistent, business-oriented guidance.
• Support product commercialization activities by partnering with Regulatory to ensure compliance with laws and policies governing the production, labeling, and distribution of food.
• Develop and implement strategies that support legally compliant commercial relationships and proactive risk management.
• Manage outside counsel, as needed, to ensure practical, business-focused, and cost-effective legal support.
• Lead or support matters involving competitor claims, NAD or other self-regulatory proceedings, and related commercial claims issues.
• Develop and deliver training and capability-building tools on relevant legal topics for business stakeholders.
• Maintain an external focus by monitoring emerging legal, regulatory, and industry issues and seeking outside perspectives to inform business guidance.
• Travel occasionally, primarily within North America, to support Kraft Heinz locations, clients, and facilities.

Benefits

• Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
• Events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
• Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior