Senior Corporate Counsel

We are Fonterra, one of the world's largest dairy nutrition companies. At Fonterra, you’ll be inspired by purpose and guided by principles. Whether you're based in New Zealand or anywhere else around the world, you’ll be part of a team that creates goodness for generations and delivers global impact through local action. Our brands are trusted by families and individuals alike, delivering high-quality dairy nutrition to millions of people globally. As a Co-operative created and owned by New Zealand dairy farmers, our collaboration, innovation, and passion have enabled us to share the goodness of our dairy with the world. We're committed to caring for the land, our animals, and every drop of milk, producing nutritious food with safe, quality ingredients loved in New Zealand and around the world.

About the role

This is a Chicago-based role reporting to the General Counsel - Ingredients & Foodservice. You'll play a key part in supporting Fonterra's Global Markets and Growth teams. You'll partner with senior leaders and stakeholders across the United States, Europe, and the broader global business, providing pragmatic legal advice that helps deliver strategic initiatives, manage risk, and achieve commercial outcomes.

Acting as a trusted advisor, you'll be involved in a broad range of complex legal matters including commercial transactions, strategic projects, contract negotiations, regulatory issues, and dispute management. You'll also serve as the primary legal contact for Fonterra's Europe region, Growth team, and selected strategic customer accounts. This is an opportunity to work on high-impact international matters while contributing to the commercial success and strategic direction of a truly global organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day-to-day legal advice across a broad range of commercial and corporate matters
• Support major business projects, strategic initiatives, and complex transactions
• Lead and negotiate commercial agreements with customers, suppliers, and business partners
• Act as the key legal contact for the Europe region, Growth team, and designated strategic customer accounts
• Identify, assess, and proactively manage legal and commercial risks
• Support regulatory matters and litigation management when required
• Partner closely with business leaders to deliver practical, commercially focused solutions
• Contribute to wider legal team initiatives and capability development
• Deliver legal training and guidance to stakeholders across the business

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. state
• 8+ years' relevant legal experience
• Experience advising on international legal matters; exposure to European legal and regulatory issues would be advantageous
• Strong law firm and/or in-house legal experience supporting large, complex organizations
• Expertise across general business and commercial law
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, complexity, and change with confidence
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, and executive presence

Benefits

Our people and what they bring to our Co-op shape our success. We have a collaborative culture, inspiring leaders, and passionate people, making Fonterra a great place to work. We offer competitive remuneration and a range of benefits, regardless of your role or location. Fonterra is a place where everyone can be themselves, feel empowered to do their best, and are empowered to create goodness for generations.

Pay

$190,000 - $230,000