Sr. Counsel, Proprietary Brands & Operations

PetSmart • Phoenix, AZ

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

PetSmart is seeking an experienced, business-oriented attorney to serve as the primary legal advisor supporting the Company's Proprietary Brands, Global Sourcing, Product Quality & Compliance, and Store Operations business teams. This role provides strategic legal counsel regarding the sourcing, development, marketing, sale, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance of PetSmart products, as well as regulatory and operational matters affecting stores. The successful candidate will partner closely with business leaders to develop practical, scalable solutions that support business objectives while appropriately managing legal and regulatory risk.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar; ability to register as in-house in Arizona.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of related and relevant experience, preferably supporting consumer products, retail, manufacturing, or other highly regulated businesses.
• Significant experience advising business clients on product, regulatory, consumer protection, operational, or commercial legal matters, with the ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal guidance.
• Must have excellent commercial judgment and the ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice.
• Must be adaptable, solutions-oriented, and capable of balancing legal risk with business objectives.
• Must be comfortable advising on emerging or ambiguous legal and regulatory issues and partnering with cross-functional teams to develop practical solutions.
• Must have effective communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey complex legal concepts and risks to non-legal professionals.
• Must have effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively across business functions and levels of the organization.
• Must have the ability to build trust and credibility with internal business stakeholders.
• Must have the ability to independently manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be comfortable leveraging technology and automation to improve the delivery of legal services and enable business self-service where appropriate.

Nice To Haves

• In-house legal experience is a plus.
• Experience interacting with regulatory agencies, advising on regulatory compliance matters, or supporting the development and implementation of compliance programs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal advisor supporting Proprietary Brands, Global Sourcing, Product Quality & Compliance, and Store Operations.
• Advise business partners on legal and regulatory issues affecting the sourcing, development, marketing, sale, quality, safety, and ongoing compliance of PetSmart’s Proprietary Brand products throughout the product lifecycle.
• Provide legal guidance to support the development, implementation, and ongoing management of product-related compliance programs and processes, including responsible sourcing and social responsibility programs, environmental and sustainability-related product requirements (including Extended Producer Responsibility), and other regulatory compliance programs affecting the product lifecycle.
• Advise on complex or escalated matters, including product claims and substantiation, labeling, recalls, product registrations, country-of-origin and customs issues, regulatory inquiries, enforcement matters, and other significant legal or regulatory issues.
• Provide legal support relating to regulatory inspections, investigations, enforcement matters, and interactions with governmental agencies affecting supported business areas.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and provide practical, business-oriented guidance regarding their impact on supported business functions.
• Develop and deliver policies, playbooks, training, guidance materials, and other scalable resources that enable business teams to operate efficiently and compliantly, including through the use of technology, automation, and self-service tools.
• Build trusted relationships across supported business teams and collaborate with colleagues across the Legal Department to provide practical, risk-based legal advice that advances business objectives.
• May supervise a legal support professional, as assigned.

Benefits

• Outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace
• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• “Lil Paws” NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more

What This Job Offers

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