Job Description

About Wakefern

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, and Di Bruno Bros.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best-in-class procurement practices.

About You

Summary

This position provides legal advice, recommendations, oversight and guidance with respect to all legal issues and areas of law that impact the organization, with an emphasis in litigation, dispute resolution and employment law. This position regularly handles a wide array of litigation matters and other disputes and provides counselling and legal advice in connection with all facets of employment law and regulatory matters impacting the Company. This role also involves reviewing agreements from all divisions and drafting or reviewing legal documents like policies, guidelines, and presentations. This role, under the direction of the Assistant General Counsel, will provide counsel to business partners and management within the Company, and will act as a liaison and consult with outside legal counsel, as necessary.

This position may also advise one or more of Company’s subsidiaries on legal issues and risks impacting the subsidiary, specifically in connection with Company’s long term business goals and legal strategy.

The person in this position, relying on a combination of legal expertise and knowledge of the business, provides legal advice and recommendations for action to executives and management, to advance the Company’s interests and reduce legal risk to acceptable levels.

These recommendations include complex matters having a significant impact on the organization’s activities and operations.

Essential Functions

Under the direction of the Assistant General Counsel, advise senior management on emerging legal issues and provide legal advice, recommendations, oversight and guidance with respect to legal issues and areas of law that impact the organization, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Employment and Labor Law
• ERISA and Benefits Law
• Regulatory Matters
• Commercial Law
• Prepares, drafts, and negotiates various standard and non-standard contracts for the organization to ensure compliance with business requirements and organizational policy.

Manage employment and all other commercial litigation, including responding to attorney demand letters, effectively negotiating resolution of claims, and making recommendations to senior management on corrective action.

Collaborate with, supervise and manage outside counsel to ensure receipt of high-quality, on-budget, cost-effective, timely, practical and business-oriented legal advice on all matters involving outside counsel, which include hiring and, if applicable, RFPs, performance management and strategic oversight. You will be required to develop and monitor budgets and oversee outside counsel on all matters.

Develop a thorough understanding of and familiarity with the company's business, its people, products, markets, facilities, customers, and competitors to identify trends and formulate strategies and processes accordingly.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years’ experience with top tier law firm and/or in-house legal department
• JD Degree from an ABA accredited law school and licensed to practice in New Jersey
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, utilizing exceptional organizational skills to consistently prioritize, coordinate and satisfy numerous competing demands and successfully achieve deadline driven results that effectively achieve business objectives
• Strong business acumen, problem solving skills and legal judgment
• Proven ability to be open to change and agile in a dynamic environment
• Willingness to learn and understand the Company’s various business operations to build productive relationships with internal clients
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), drafting and negotiating skills

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an Associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Associate will be required to work on-site during Company’s regular business hours for a minimum of four (4) days per week and must adhere to Company’s Hybrid Work Policy.
• Associate will be occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Associate may occasionally be required to travel to other Company locations.
• While performing the duties of this job, Associate will be frequently required to sit, walk and talk and hear.

Core Competencies

• Communicate Effectively: Communicates thoughts and ideas in a well-organized manner, encouraging two-way communication.
• Build Relationships: Creates cross-functional partnerships through the development and maintenance of constructive and cooperative relationships.
• Stay Competitive: Demonstrates a mindset of continuous improvement while exhibiting passion and enthusiasm for their work.
• Embrace Change: Looks for new ways of working by supporting advancements in processes and technology.
• Develop You: Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for personal and professional career growth.
• Drive for Results: Supports divisional and strategic objectives through achievement of work goals.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $170,000 to $205,000. Placement in the range depends on several factors, including experience, skills, education, geography, and budget considerations.

Wakefern is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and professional development of our Associates. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with company match & annual company contribution, paid time off, holidays, and parental leave. Associates also enjoy access to wellness and family support programs, fitness reimbursement, educational and training opportunities through our corporate university, and a collaborative, team-oriented work environment. Many of these benefits are fully or partially funded by the company, with some subject to eligibility requirements.

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