Legal Manager

Role & responsibilities

• Contract Management: Drafting, vetting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts, including Supplier agreements, Bank guarantees, Rent agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Advertisement Contracts, Distribution deals, and Procurement contracts.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with local and international laws relevant to tea processing and packaging, such as food safety standards (e.g., FSSAI in India), labelling requirements, Legal Metrology, Tea Board Regulations, EPR, and export/import regulations. Liaisoning with regulatory bodies for various licenses, compliances.
• Intellectual Property: Manage trademark registrations, timely applications & renewals of trademarks, monitor IP infringements (e.g., brand misuse or parallel imports), and co-ordinate with external counsel on IP disputes, take necessary action in counterfeit matters in alignment with business team, filing police complaint on behalf of the Company and take necessary legal action in consultation with lawyers.
• Risk Mitigation & Compliance : Identify legal risks in operations, such as labour disputes or environmental compliance, and recommend proactive solutions; assist in developing internal policies and ensuring managing compliances on relevant compliance tool.
• Litigation Support: Oversee mid-level litigation matters (e.g., IP disputes, supplier disputes, regulatory fines), Liaisoning with external law firms and keeping a track of all litigation, timely update and sharing of MIS with Head-Legal. Attend court hearings from time to time for various legal matters of the Company.
• Team Supervision: Lead a small team of legal assistants or paralegals.
• Business Support: Advise production, procurement, and marketing teams on legal implications of new product launches, market expansions, packaging designs, product claims, advertisement claims, advertisement content and applicable regulations.
• Training & Awareness: Conduct training sessions for staff on legal topics like contract obligations, POSH, or trade compliance.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate legal records, including contracts, licenses, registration certificates, and regulatory filings, ensuring accessibility for audits or due diligence.
• Reporting: Prepare MIS, updates and reports on legal activities, risks, and compliance status for the Head-Legal and senior management.
• Any other task as may be assigned by Head-Legal and/or Management.

Preferred candidate profile

• Experience: 10+ years in a legal role, with at least 5 years in a supervisory capacity; experience in FMCG, food processing, or agriculture sectors (tea industry a plus).
• Education: Bachelors degree in law (LLB) required; masters in law (LLM) or equivalent preferred.
• Legal Expertise: Strong knowledge of Food Safety Law, Legal Metrology, IPR Laws, Contract law, Corporate laws, and regulatory compliance.
• Leadership: Proven ability to manage a small team, prioritize tasks, and foster a collaborative environment.
• Analytical Skills: Sharp ability to assess legal risks, interpret regulations, and provide practical business-oriented solutions.
• Communication: Excellent drafting, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to engage with internal stakeholders, external counsel, and regulators.
• Attention to Detail: Precision in reviewing legal documents and ensuring compliance with complex requirements.
• IT Skills: Proficiency in MS Office and legal management software; experience with contract management systems a plus.