Senior Counsel, Food Law and Regulatory Compliance

Select Division•Chicago, IL

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role serves as the primary legal advisor on food law, regulatory compliance, labeling, advertising, product claims, and related regulatory matters for the Cheese Divisions. The attorney will partner closely with various teams including Regulatory, Quality, R&D, Marketing, Commercial, Industrial, Procurement, and Sustainability to identify legal and regulatory risks, develop practical business solutions, and ensure compliance with applicable food laws and regulations. The position requires strong business judgment and the ability to work in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment, leading complex initiatives and driving compliance strategies.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
At least one bar admission.
6 to 8 years’ experience with a national law firm and/or in-house legal department.
Significant experience in food law, FDA regulation, consumer products regulation, advertising law, or a related practice area.
Experience advising consumer packaged goods, food, beverage, dairy, or other regulated industries strongly preferred.
Shows initiative and the ability to work independently and exercise good judgment in a complex business environment.
Takes active ownership of areas of responsibility.
A self-motivated strong teammate with the ability to identify and get out ahead of problems.
Demonstrates strategic ability.
Anticipates legal issues and estimates legal risks.
Develops creative, proactive, and practical solutions to mitigate legal risks in support of the business.
Models high ethics and integrity.
Possesses an eagerness and ability to understand the business.
Possesses excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication (verbal and written), relationship management, and internal client service skills.
Acute attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects at a given time.
Demonstrates excellent negotiation skills.
Operates well in multi-functional teams and a fast-paced environment.
Is committed to continuous improvement, company mission and values, training, and continued education on changing laws and regulations.
Creates processes and procedures that effectively mitigate legal and regulatory risk.
Is a quick and flexible learner: intellectually curious, open-minded, adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity and risk, and excited by dynamic change.
Can make sound, complex cost/benefit assessments.
Inspires trust, forges relationships quickly, builds consensus and earns the confidence and cooperation of divisional business partners.
Demonstrates strong executive presence and stakeholder management skills, with ability to effectively communicate complex regulatory concepts to non-lawyers.
Possesses deep knowledge of food law and regulatory requirements, with ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising consumer packaged goods, food, beverage, dairy, or other regulated industries strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a legal advisor on FDA, USDA, FTC, state consumer protection, food labeling, and food advertising requirements, monitoring developments in food law and emerging regulatory trends.
Review product labels and packaging to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and international food laws, including nutrition facts, ingredient declarations, standards of identity, allergen labeling, and net quantity statements.
Advise business teams on claims substantiation for product and marketing claims, including nutrient content claims, health claims, structure/function claims, and comparative claims.
Review advertising campaigns, digital marketing materials, promotional materials, and other consumer-facing communications to advise brand teams on regulatory and litigation risk.
Participate in innovation and brand strategy meetings to understand future initiatives and provide proactive legal and regulatory counsel, supporting product development, marketing initiatives, and growth objectives.
Support regulatory enforcement matters, investigations, and litigation risk management, including interactions with FDA, USDA, FTC, and state regulatory agencies, and work with outside counsel and senior management to develop and implement cost-effective response strategies.
Support the Company’s responses to warning letters, requests for information, inspections, inquiries, and enforcement actions from regulatory agencies.
Advise the General Counsel, Cheese Divisions and internal stakeholders on key legal and regulatory developments, and risk mitigation strategies.
Support legal oversight of complex cross-functional projects with Regulatory, Quality, R&D, Marketing, Commercial, Industrial, Procurement, and Sustainability teams to identify legal and regulatory risks and develop practical business solutions.
Provide strategic advisory support on product innovation, new product launches, product reformulations, acquisitions, commercial growth initiatives, and other key business priorities.
Provide legal guidance to Quality, Regulatory, Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, Commercial, and other cross-functional business teams on product, packaging, labeling, quality, and regulatory matters, including risk assessment and decision-making related to withdrawals, recalls, market actions, customer notifications, and other corrective actions.
Develop and deliver trainings on food law, labeling, advertising, regulatory developments, and compliance requirements to cross-functional business teams.
Provide strategic legal counsel on sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Advise on laws and regulations relating to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), packaging compliance, recyclability and environmental marketing claims, and product stewardship obligations.
Work on other projects as may be assigned from time to time.