Director of Legal

Overall Goal of Position: The Director of Legal will serve as the primary legal advisor for a high-growth, privately held consumer packaged goods (CPG) company operating in the U.S.   Job Summary: This role will oversee corporate governance, commercial contracts, risk management, employment law, and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in corporate and commercial law, preferably within the CPG, food & beverage, or manufacturing industries, and will be adept at balancing legal risk with business objectives. This role reports to the CFO.  Key Duties and Responsibilities: Corporate Governance & Compliance Manage corporate governance, including entity management, board support, and shareholder agreements. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to the CPG industry. Develop and implement company policies and compliance programs to mitigate legal risk. Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, advising leadership on potential impacts. Commercial & Contract Management Negotiate, draft, and review a wide range of commercial agreements, including vendor, distributor, co-manufacturing, and licensing agreements. Support mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships as needed. Work closely with procurement, sales, and operations teams to streamline contract management processes. Litigation & Risk Management Manage and oversee litigation, disputes, and claims, coordinating with external counsel as needed. Identify and mitigate potential legal and compliance risks across business functions. Conduct internal investigations and compliance audits as necessary. Employment & Labor Law Advise HR on employment law matters, including employee policies, disputes, and compliance with labor regulations. Provide legal guidance on wage and hour laws, employee classification, and workplace investigations. Support employment-related litigation and dispute resolution. Regulatory & Intellectual Property Compliance Ensure compliance with industry-specific regulations (e.g., FDA, FTC, USDA, EPA) applicable to CPG products. Oversee intellectual property (IP) protection, including trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. Review and approve product labeling, advertising, and marketing claims to ensure regulatory compliance. What We Are Looking For:  Personal Characteristics Entrepreneurial drive and the desire to “build a business” Passionate, energetic, and results oriented personality Overall confidence in one abilities and comfortable communicating the facts Smart, creative and inquisitive Integrity-Does the right thing even when no one is looking Determination/grit - No excuses mindset Dependable team player with positive attitude Personal values that mesh with SBI values Performance History A proven leader and change agent Stellar references based on contributions and performance Education & Experience: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school; licensed to practice law in the U.S. 8 years of legal experience, preferably with a mix of in-house and law firm experience. Experience in the CPG, food & beverage, or manufacturing industry is highly preferred. Strong expertise in contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and risk management. Experience managing litigation, external counsel, and legal budgets. Knowledge of employment law and intellectual property protection is a plus. Location:  Richmond, VA What Is In It For You? Our company acknowledges talented people are attracted to companies that provide competitive pay, comprehensive benefits packages and outstanding advancement opportunities. For this reason we offer a Comprehensive Benefits Plan that includes the following:    401K Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage Vacation, Sick Days and Holidays Flexible Spending Accounts Tuition Reimbursement Employee and Dependent Life Insurance Voluntary Disability Insurance Other Voluntary Insurance Options   Sauer Brands, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.