p

In-House Legal Counsel

pty
April 20, 2026
Full-time
Hybrid (JHB - Northern Suburbs, South Africa)
Legal Counsel
Reference: PTA001732-EV-1


An established international chemical distributor is actively seeking an experienced In-House Legal Counsel to be responsible for ensuring that the organization operates within legal frameworks while minimizing risks and protecting its interests. The successful candidate will be part of a dedicated legal department operating across various countries and regions.

Duties & Responsibilities


Minimum requirements for the role:
  • Must have an LLM (Master of Laws)
  • Minimum 7+ years relevant experience with good standing with relevant legal licensing authority
  • Strong legal knowledge in the field of commercial, distribution and agency law is essential
  • Proven experience in drafting and negotiating contracts in a commercial setting
  • Knowledge or experience in working in a chemical manufacturing or distribution environment is an asset
  • Strong understanding of corporate governance, compliance, regulatory matters and BEE legislation
  • Must be capable of operating autonomously with the highest level of integrity and ability to spot compliance challenges
  • Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner
  • Familiarity with international legal issues and regulations is advantageous
  • Must have legal experience with mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence
  • Proven track record of successfully managing complex legal issues
  • Excellent negotiation, drafting, and communication skills
  • Ability to work collaboratively across various departments and manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
  • Ability to work effectively under time constraints and meeting tight deadlines
  • Experience in a fast-paced, in-house legal department environment
  • Computer literate with experience using contract management software (such as OnBase by Hyland) and training systems (such as Cornerstone)

The successful candidate will be responsible for:
  • Providing day-to-day legal advice and support to the company in South Africa and Kenya.
  • Providing legal counsel to management and other departments on a wide range of issues, including antitrust, export laws, sales, purchasing, distribution, supply chain, HR & labour law, debt collection, and other legal matters in relation to the business.
  • Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and agreements in alignment with commercial teams to protect the company’s interests and ensure compliance with applicable laws.
  • Closing the loop by ensuring all contracts are duly signed and loaded on OnBase.
  • Managing contracts in OnBase.
  • Managing company standard agreements, including terms and conditions.
  • Acting as the African Compliance Officer in leading company compliance programs in the region.
  • Ensuring the organization adheres to all relevant laws and regulations, including industry-specific compliance requirements.
  • Developing and implementing compliance programs and policies.
  • Creating and implementing policies and best practice to enforce legal compliance.
  • Keeping Group and local contract policies and contract management processes up to date and supervising the effective use of these policies and processes in the organizations.
  • Overseeing the dissemination and communication of the company's Code of Conduct and Business Principles, assisting with training on the code and investigating ethics-related issues.
  • Providing regulatory and government compliance guidance.
  • Overseeing and managing any litigation involving the company.
  • Conducting discovery and supporting outside counsel in complex litigation matters.
  • Advising on the company’s intellectual property portfolio, including trademarks, copyrights, and patents.
  • Advising on IP strategy and enforcement.
  • Overseeing employment-related legal issues, including contracts, employee relations, and compliance with labour laws.
  • Providing advice on labour and employment matters.
  • Identifying and assessing legal risks associated with business operations and developing strategies to mitigate those risks.
  • Advising management on contract status, legal risks, and legal liabilities associated with different deals.
  • Conducting training sessions for employees on legal compliance and ethical practices to foster a culture of legal awareness within the organization.
  • Monitoring governance of companies in South Africa and Kenya.
  • Drafting and implementing internal policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and promote best practices.
  • Working closely with other departments (e.g., finance, HR, marketing) to provide legal input on various projects and initiatives.
  • Staying updated on relevant laws and legal developments that may impact the organization and its operations.
  • Researching and anticipating unique legal issues that could impact any of the African entities.
  • Providing legal support services in connection with entity formation and management, mergers, acquisitions, and joint venture arrangements or other strategic partnerships.
  • Assisting with coordination of integration projects concerning acquired companies.
  • Supporting the company’s strategic initiatives by providing timely legal analysis and guidance.
  • Heading the Social & Ethics Committee and directing its activities.
  • Overseeing debt collection relating to delinquent debtors (currently using third-party service provider).
  • Managing the company secretarial function, including the preparation of board meeting materials and minutes.
  • Ensuring BBBEE compliance and monitoring.
  • Managing the effective retention, management, and efficient use of outside counsel.
Please note that subsequent to the screening and shortlisting process, all further communication will be entered into only with the shortlisted candidates. If you do not receive any feedback from us within 2 weeks of applying, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Package & Remuneration

Market Related