General Counsel

About the Role:

The General Counsel role is responsible for implementing legal strategy and providing legal services and advice to the business and functional leaders.

As a trusted legal business partner, they support business leaders in legal matters to proactively protect Kinisla, Kinisla’s reputation and manage potential risks and liabilities.

Kinisla operates a Hybrid working policy, candidates will be required to work from our offices in Tralee each week.

What will I be doing?

Key Individual Accountabilities:

• Provide accurate and timely counsel to regional business leaders, function leaders & other stakeholders, in a variety of legal topics, across complex matters.
• Establish a rigour in all legal processes and procedures, ensuring the right level of governance across all matters in line with Kinisla’s ways of working, while regularly monitoring compliance.
• Negotiate and draft agreements, contracts, and other legal documents in line with the company’s risk appetite particularly in the areas of commercial contracts, Intellectual Property and employment contracts and related matters.
• Work closely with COE Leads: including M&A, Intellectual Property, Data Protection, Business Integrity, and Employment Law.
• Research and evaluate different risk factors regarding business decisions and operations, applying effective risk management techniques and offering proactive advice on possible legal issues.
• Represent the Company before relevant agencies in audits and administrative charges.
• Identify appropriate external legal counsel to assist on relevant matters, including scope of work, fees, tenders, and feedback on performance.
• Manage outside counsel to receive jurisdiction-specific legal advice and oversee related litigation matters and relevant mediations.
• Leverage strong and positive relationships with all key stakeholders.
• Responsible for budget spend on external agencies and lawyers.
• Provide learning and development to the team on Kinisla’s legal strategy including best practices and processes.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant policy, regulatory and legislative changes.
• Review, develop and manage the updating of legal policies and procedures in line with overall company policies.

Key Shared Accountabilities:

• Work closely with the CEO, CFO and senior leaderships teams of Kinisla.
• Communicate and negotiate with external parties (regulators, external counsel, public authority etc.), creating relations of trust.

What do I need to be successful?

At Kinisla, we understand that people have very different career trajectories and experiences. In order to be successful in this role we would be looking for the right competencies and aptitudes as well as your proven track record of success in a similar role and environment.

These include:

• Qualified Attorney, Solicitor, Barrister i.e., a Legal Professional Qualification.
• In-house legal experience is considered an advantage.
• Experience with working in a corporate legal environment or law firm.
• Active practicing certificate in Ireland or the UK.
• Experience with collaborating in a team environment.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of corporate law and procedures (with knowledge across employment, commercial contracts and intellectual property etc).
• Full comprehension of the influences of the external environment of a corporation.
• Ability to serve as a business partner to business and function leaders and build consensus on complex law and business issues while viewing legal issues through a business lens.
• Demonstrated ability to create legal defensive or proactive strategies.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Sound judgement and ability to analyse situations and information.
• Outstanding communication skills and an ability to work positively and effectively with all stakeholders.

What will I get in return?

At Kinisla, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference.

We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire and lead the evolution of dairy food and nutrition. We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenges with a fresh approach. We want you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.

We also offer:

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays).
• Health Care Allowance.
• Matched pension scheme up to 10% Employer Contribution.
• Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers.
• Employee Assistance Policy.

About Kinisla:

Kinisla is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with local family farms to producing world-class dairy products, we ensure every step of our value chain reflects our commitment to excellence.

With over 50 years’ experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, we are a key stakeholder in the global food industry and creators of a strong portfolio of market leading dairy brands including Cheestrings, Charleville and Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, Golden Cow and our new SMUG range. Our from food, for food culture and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates our business and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers.

Our dairy comes from some of the world’s richest grazing land and is produced by a network of Irish family farms that have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and sustainability, Kinisla is proud to shape the future of dairy while meeting the diverse needs of our farmers, customers, and communities.

Headquartered in Tralee, Co. Kerry, we operate multiple manufacturing facilities in the southwest of Ireland, including Listowel, Charleville, Newmarket, and Farranfore. Additionally, we manage 28 Farm & Home stores throughout the region, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service. In Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, our presence extends to key locations in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.

Globally, Kinisla employs over 1,700 dedicated professionals across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, USA, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and China. In 2024, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion, reflecting our commitment to excellence and growth.

Get in touch today!

At Kinisla, we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit. We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kinisla and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.

Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where Kinisla terms of business have not been signed. Additionally, we will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances. This also applies to CVs or candidate profiles sent directly to any Kinisla Hiring Managers.