VP, General Counsel

Overview

The General Counsel is directly responsible for all legal matters concerning Company and its subsidiaries; ensures that the Company's business, practices, policies and dealings meet regulatory requirements to protect the Company from legal action; manages the Company's defense, interprets and prepares legal documents and provides counsel to corporate management on legal matters.  The General Counsel also serves as Corporate Secretary, in which capacity the General Counsel is responsible for corporate governance of  the Company, and its affiliates as corporate entities. The General Counsel also provides senior management with effective advice on company strategies and their implementation; manages the legal function and obtains and oversees the work of outside counsel.

Responsibilities

1. Serve as the Company's Compliance Officer, monitor case law, regulatory matters, proposed legislation and other developments as it relates to the Company's business; counsel and advise the officers, directors and corporate personnel to the legal and strategic aspects of activities within their assigned areas; and actively participate as necessary in presenting the Company's position on issues raised. Participate in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures and programs and provide continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters. 

2. Establish and maintain action programs, where appropriate, for adherence to legislation and regulations emanating for the government at the federal, state and local level.  Participate in the conduct of relations with federal, state and local bureaus, departments and agencies. Provide guidance and leadership, in partnership with the Chief People Officer, on all Federal and State labor law policies and issues. Provide guidance to Scientific and Regulatory Affairs on regulatory issues related to both product and procedures, including label safety, use of third party literature, and training documentation.

Recommend policies to ensure that Vitamin Shoppe conducts its business in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

3. Initiate legal action when necessary and defend the Company in any legal action initiated against it.  Select, retain and supervise outside counsel as required to obtain legal opinions or handle claims, litigation or other matters.  Supervise investigation of third party liability, appropriate valuation and filing of claims in uninsured areas. Anticipate legal risks and actively manage to reduce and/or eliminate company exposure.

4. Participate in establishing the business policies of the Company as they relate to real estate and construction and administer those functions of the business subject to established guidelines and policies.  Supervise and direct all matters pertaining to lease negotiations.

5. Serve as key lawyer/legal advisor on all business transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures. Work closely with other corporate Vice Presidents on a cross functional basis to drive business improvement. Provide administrative leadership and management for staffing, systems, and internal controls of the legal, real estate and construction departments. Provide legal advice concerning the review and negotiation of contracts, leases and other legal instruments on a domestic and international basis.

6. Responsible for overseeing all legal aspects relating to the formation of new subsidiaries and the continuing existence of such subsidiaries and the registration, renewal and protection of domestic and international Intellectual Property, trademarks and copyrights and the clearing of proposed marks for non-infringement.

7. Administer the Legal Department function, including but not limit to the preparation of budgets, distribution of work flow, hiring, retaining, and supervising department personnel, and outside counsel, and other administrative duties. Direct responsibility for effectively managing the legal department’s financial budget

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Guides, directs and evaluates (1) Associate General Counsel, (3) Lease Administration Department (1) Senior Paralegals and, (2) Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Department.

Qualifications

Education/Certification                       

• Law Degree, licensed and a member in good standing of a State bar
• Licensed in New Jersey or able to obtain Limited In-House licensing in New Jersey

Required Knowledge:                           

• Knowledge of specialized legal terminology, documents and procedures

Experience Required:                           

• 10 years of broad legal experience in the following areas of law: dietary supplements, real estate, intellectual property, corporate and litigation management. 
• Direct experience with State and Federal employment labor, with specific detailed   experience in the State of California   
• Experience in a retail company of national scale is preferred. 

Skill and Ability:                                               

• Ability to work in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment
• Outstanding communications skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel

Equal Opportunity PolicyThe Vitamin Shoppe is an equal opportunity employer. We respect diversity and accordingly are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.  Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, separation, recruitment, pay and other forms of compensation, access to facilities and programs, training and general treatment during employment.

We firmly believe that every Health Enthusiast has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Our goal is to maintain a satisfied and productive team of Health Enthusiasts. The keys to reaching that goal are effective leadership, equal application of fair human resources policies, competitive wages and benefits, and close attention to all health enthusiast matters. The Vitamin Shoppe is committed to the principle of fair and impartial treatment of our Health Enthusiasts.

Health Enthusiasts with questions or concerns about equal employment opportunities in the workplace are encouraged to bring these issues to the attention of their Human Resources representative.  We will not allow any form of retaliation against Health Enthusiasts who raise issues of perceived discrimination in good faith.  To ensure our workplace is free of artificial barriers, violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.