Legal Counsel - Hawthorn East - 12-month FTC

A new role means a new way to win together. We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and at the heart of our continued success lies our 115,000 team members working across the country. If you’re looking for a career-defining opportunity, take the next step and explore another way your work can have impact and make a difference.

About the team

Because of our size, who we are and what we do, each day brings with it a lot of complexity that our legal team make simple. With a deep understanding of Coles Group’s goals and values, we’re able to provide practical and commercial advice that helps us all win.

The Commercial Legal team supports the procurement and merchandise functions across Coles Group. We work closely with business stakeholders on commercial contracting, supplier relationships, strategic projects, governance and the management of legal and regulatory risk.

About the Role:

This is a 12-month fixed-term Legal Counsel opportunity within the Commercial Legal team. Reporting to a Managing Legal Counsel, you’ll work across both procurement and merchandise and advise on a varied portfolio of commercial matters.

The role offers broad in-house exposure within one of Australia’s largest retailers. You’ll take ownership of matters from initial instruction through to completion, work directly with key business stakeholders and contribute to supplier arrangements, sourcing initiatives, strategic projects and improvements to commercial processes.

You’ll manage a range of matters autonomously, with support from experienced senior lawyers and specialist legal teams where an issue is particularly complex or high risk. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop experience across different business portfolios and contribute to a collaborative Commercial Legal team.

You’ll also:

• Provide timely, practical and commercially focused legal advice across procurement, merchandise and related business functions
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of supply, procurement, services, manufacturing, logistics, project and other commercial agreements
• Advise on commercial and regulatory issues affecting retail, sourcing, procurement and supplier relationships
• Support strategic projects, business initiatives and changes to commercial or operational processes
• Take ownership of matters, manage stakeholder expectations and identify and escalate material legal risks where appropriate
• Build trusted relationships with business stakeholders and collaborate with specialist legal, risk and compliance teams
• Contribute to improvements in legal templates, guidance, contracting processes and business education
• Work collaboratively across the Commercial Legal team and develop experience across both procurement and merchandise portfolios

About you and your skills:

You’re a commercially minded lawyer who provides clear, practical advice and enjoys working closely with the business. You’re comfortable taking ownership of matters, exercising sound judgement and managing competing priorities, while recognising when an issue requires escalation or specialist input.

You bring a collaborative approach and are interested in developing broad commercial experience across both procurement and merchandise.

You’ll also ideally have:

• A current Australian legal practising certificate
• Approximately three or more years’ post-qualification experience gained in-house and/or in private practice
• Experience advising on commercial contracts, procurement, supply arrangements or other business-to-business transactions
• Strong drafting, negotiation and legal advisory skills
• A developed understanding of commercial and regulatory legal issues
• The ability to independently manage moderately complex matters and provide practical, commercially focused advice
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• An interest in working across a varied portfolio and contributing to a collaborative legal team
• Experience in retail, FMCG, procurement, merchandise, manufacturing or supply chain matters would be beneficial but is not essential

Why work at Coles?

• Broad exposure to commercial matters across both procurement and merchandise
• The opportunity to take ownership of matters and work directly with key business stakeholders
• Involvement in supplier arrangements, strategic projects and initiatives with a direct impact on one of Australia’s largest retailers
• A collaborative legal team with access to experienced commercial lawyers and specialist legal expertise

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au

Job ID: 192452

Employment Type: Fixed Term

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