Legal Counsel - Join a High-Performing In-House Team

At Tegel, we're committed to nourishing families every day—driven by fresh ideas, delicious food, and dedicated people. As New Zealand's leading poultry producer, we take pride in delivering high-quality, nutritious products to Kiwi homes and customers around the world.

About the opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Counsel to join our well-established legal team based in Newmarket. In this varied role and fast paced environment, you will provide the business with commercially focused legal advice on a broad range of matters. The Legal Counsel works closely with and reports to the Head of Legal to ensure the Legal team are supporting the business to achieve the best commercial outcomes and manage legal risk.

This is an ideal position for a private practice lawyer looking to move in-house.

If you bring strong legal expertise, sound commercial judgment, and a proactive mindset, this could be the ideal next step in your career.

You'll enjoy working in a large, complex organisation, advising stakeholders at all levels, and managing competing priorities. You'll work with a level of autonomy and be responsible for running matters, with the support and guidance you need to thrive.

You'll communicate effectively at all levels of the business, be proactive, have good time management skills, deliver work of a consistently high standard, and have a great work ethic.

You'll hit the ground running with the right attitude, good training, and strong communication skills.

Our modern, open-plan offices in the heart of Newmarket offer great amenities, including onsite cafes, excellent lunch spots nearby, and access to all the energy and convenience the area has to offer. With a broad variety of in-housework and a highly respected legal team, this is your opportunity to be part of something great.

Key Responsibilities include

• Diverse Range of Legal Work: Provide practical and clear legal advice and guidance to the business on a broad range of matters including general commercial, procurement, commercial property, food law, health and safety, environment, sustainability, OIO, marketing, licensing, information systems, disputes, competition, and construction. We don't expect you to have experience in all of these areas, but it gives you a taste of the diverse work on offer.
• Run your own matters, with support and guidance: draft, review, and negotiate a range of contracts across Tegel's business  Contract Review, Drafting and Negotiations: Support the business in the review, drafting and negotiation of a range of contracts and other legal documentation (including leases, supplier contracts, customer contacts, construction contracts), ensuring all terms align with Tegel's legal and commercial objectives.
• Research and advise on a range of legal issues and developments.
• Support accurate master data being maintained in Tegel's contract management system.
  
  

What will you bring to the table?

• An LLB with 4+ years' PQE in a commercially focused law firm.
• An NZLS practising certificate
• Professional work ethic.
• Experience drafting and negotiating a range of contracts and other legal documentation
• Commercial property / OIO / Competition / IP / Food Law experience will be an added advantage
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
  
  

What's in it for you?

• Competitive remuneration
• Medical/Life Insurance
• Carpark
• Staff sales on our products
• 4% Kiwisaver
• Modern offices in Newmarket
• Great people to work with
  
  

Ready to take the next step in your legal career? We'd love to hear from you. Apply now and tell us why you'd be a great fit for the team.

Don't delay, we'll close the applications as soon as we find the right fit!