Associate Legal Counsel, India & SW Asia

Department:  Legal
Date:  May 7, 2024

Mumbai based legal employee, part of FMC Corporate Law Department, with focus on India & SW Asia market. Looking for a savvy business partner that can provide both practical advice and operational / functional support on the legal, regulatory, and business matters and issues pertaining to multi-national crop protection company.  The successful candidate for this role will have demonstrated the ability to work independently & proactively and support legal counsel in India & SW Asia, business & service functions, have clear communication skills with external lawyers and consultants, on often time-sensitive, matters.  

 

The successful candidate for this role will “hit-the-ground-running” and be responsible for a wide range of work, including the following:

 

  • Ethics and Compliance:
  • Provide guidance with respect to compliance program in India and SW Asia, including identifying gaps and instituting corrective actions.
  • Brand Protection & IP:
  • Closely work with the Brand Enforcement Team as an advisor on investigator appointments & due diligence, conducting raids, handling counterfeit actions, police actions, etc.
  • Commercial Business Partnering:
  • Draft negotiate & finalize critical contracts related to India & SW Asia growth projects (including plant health business projects), channel engagement initiatives and digitization activities/ digital tools/ Precision Ag.
  • Advise the operations and supply chain teams with respect to customs and tolling operations.
  • Support Distributors’ and Marketing Agency documentation, handle queries from licensing & compliance perspective and support to review and strengthen channel control framework.
  • Support commercial colleagues handling Corporate Partnerships, GSS business and Channel Engagements.
  • Work closely with MarCom and Digital Initiatives team and provide legal advice on Precision Ag, social media compliance, privacy issues (in alignment with Data Privacy lead), etc.
  • General Legal Advice and risk management:
  • Legal advisor to Tax team on needs basis.
  • Advise on the Real Estate Matters and bring hands on experience in merger & acquisition.
  • Provide strong support to Credit Control & Customer Service team. 
  • Review the HR onboarding & exit process/ documentation and have oversight on labour & payroll compliances (corporate & Branch office, R&D site and factories).
  • Provide legal inputs to CSR initiatives and advise on documentation, compliances & due diligence of third parties.
  • Work closely with Procurement (commercial) & Sourcing and Controllership teams on contracts and DOA framework.
  • Effectively support global initiatives on contracts and legal spend and ensure stakeholders follow the global mandated processes.
  • Handle other matters that may be assigned by the India Counsel. 
  • Work with key external law firms to ensure Company’s interest is protected from various aspects.
  • Keep abreast with latest legislation changes, timely analysis and update to the Legal Counsel and Sr. Mgt on impact of relevant legislative changes and take pro-active steps to address and mitigate identified risks.
  • Participate in Industry Association meetings as required.
  • Litigation support and management:
  • Monitor the ongoing court cases such as Civil, Criminal, Arbitration, 138 matters, Legal Metrology, Consumer Cases, Misbranding Cases, Labour Cases, Insecticides / FCO cases etc. and advice business operations on litigation strategy.

 

 

Requirements

  • LLB degree from reputed law school with at least 15 years law firm and MNC combined experience
  • Qualified company secretary (preferable but not essential);
  • Knowledge of the manufacturing industry (esp. agro-chemical, pharma, FMCG industry) and understanding of general issues facing MNCs in India
  • In depth knowledge of Insecticides Act, Fertilizer Control Order, Legal Metrology, Manufacturing related laws (preferred)
  • Ability to liaise well with regulatory / external stakeholders including service provider across India & SW Asia
  • Ability to interact with wide spectrum of internal stakeholders, including, senior management, effectively.
  • Commercial understanding and keen interest to closely work with business & operations.
  • Strong Legal and business acumen having solutions-oriented mindset.
  • Ability to take ownership of multiple workstreams.
  • Ability to work in agile operating environment and matrix organization.
  • Adept at coordinating with cross-functional teams and understand regulatory issues / risks.
  • Experience / exposure to indirect tax issues would be a plus.
  • Strong multi-tasking capability and interpersonal skills;
  • Team player with ability to work independently and under pressure; 
  • Fluency in English (both written and spoken) required; and
  • Legal drafting expertise.

 

Competencies

  • Functional/Technical Skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Informing
  • Conflict Management
  • Perseverance
  • Written Communications
  • Interpersonal Savvy
  • Negotiation skills
  • Integrity and Trust
  • Ethics and Values
  • Dealing with Ambiguity
  • Self-Knowledge
  • Proactive

 

Location

Mumbai, Maharashtra