This range is provided by Robert Half. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
$175,000.00/yr - $215,000.00/yr
General Counsel – Strategic Legal Leadership
A premier leader in the U.S. food manufacturing industry is seeking its first-ever General Counsel. Following a period of significant growth—including high-profile acquisitions that have doubled their workforce—they are ready to establish a dedicated in-house legal function. This is a high-impact role for a seasoned attorney who wants to build a legal department from the ground up while serving as a key strategic partner to the executive team.
The General Counsel Opportunity
Reporting directly to the COO, you will oversee a wide range of legal, regulatory, and operational matters for a company with a 100-year heritage and a North American footprint. As a vital part of the country’s critical infrastructure, they offer unparalleled job security and the chance to work in a high-performing environment that has consistently exceeded its growth targets.
Primary Strategic Focus:
Executive Advisory: Act as a trusted counselor to the C-suite on complex business decisions and corporate governance.
Corporate Growth & M& A: Lead the legal lifecycle for future acquisitions, including due diligence, deal evaluation, and post-merger integration.
Commercial Strategy: Architect and refine our commercial contract standards, overseeing negotiations for logistics, supply, and procurement.
Compliance & Regulatory Oversight: Navigate the unique requirements of the food industry, managing compliance with FDA, USDA, DOT, and environmental standards.
Labor & Employment: Advise on workforce matters, including employee relations and potential union negotiations.
Outside Counsel Management: Strategically direct external firms on specialized litigation and transactional requirements to ensure cost-efficiency and alignment with business goals.
Your Professional Profile
We are seeking a "squared-away" legal expert who possesses both high intellectual capacity and the emotional intelligence needed to build cross-functional partnerships.
Education & Licensure: JD from an accredited school and active bar membership with the ability to practice in-house in Tennessee.
Experience: 10+ years of legal practice, with a heavy emphasis on in-house roles within manufacturing, commodities, or logistics.
Skill Set: Proven expertise in M& A, complex commercial contracts, and risk management.
Communication Style: An articulate leader who can "translate" legal risk into business logic and gain buy-in across all levels of the organization.
Total Rewards & Culture
They take care of the people who keep the country fed. Their culture is built on mutual respect and a "have each other's back" mentality.
Retirement: Immediate 401(k) matching at $1 for $1 up to 6%, with no vesting period.
Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision options starting the first of the month following 30 days of employment, plus a monthly gym reimbursement.
Time Off: 3 weeks of vacation plus 10 paid holidays (including 2 floating holidays).
Bonus Potential: Join a high-performing team that has doubled its target bonus over the last three years.
Location: Based in Chattanooga, TN. They prefer an onsite presence to foster deep integration with the team, with hybrid flexibility available for those outside TN.
If you are a seasoned legal strategist looking to transition from a supporting role to a foundational leadership position, this is your moment. This General Counsel position offers the rare opportunity to join an industry leader as its first-ever in-house counsel, providing you with a blank canvas to build a high-impact legal infrastructure.
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All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.