Legal Counsel

Job content

Making a difference. That’s what a career at AGCO is all about. At AGCO you have a voice and the opportunity to impact our long-term success, as well as your own

AGCO is a global leader focused on the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and infrastructure. AGCO supports more productive farming through a full line of tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage equipment, tillage, implements, grain storage and protein production systems, as well as related replacement parts. AGCO products are sold through five core brands, Challenger®, Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra® and are distributed globally through 3,150 independent dealers and distributors in more than 140 countries worldwide. Our diverse product line, global reach and technological solutions help our customers not only survive today’s changing landscape, but to also prosper. Visit www.AGCOcorp.com for more information.

Legal Counsel

Stoneleigh, Warwickshire

Hybrid Working

Job Summary

The purpose of the position is to provide legal advice and support as a Legal Counsel for all brands in EME and to be an active member of the EME Legal team. Role responsibility include advising, drafting, reviewing and negotiating various commercial agreements, instructing and liaising with external legal counsel in respect of product liability claims; interfacing with various parts of the business at all levels to advise on legal matters and assisting with the resolution of ad hoc legal matters including those set out below.

Commercial Agreements/Legal documents

· Distribution Management.

· Legal contact for all EME [except France and Germany] legal matters relating to distribution and ESO businesses, National Sales and Parts teams.

· Support contract negotiations and legal disputes related to Distribution and Dealer Agreements across EME.

· Manage the negotiation of settlements and all litigation matters; working with external lawyers where specific jurisdiction advice is required to support the business.

· Oversee the Salesforce contract management system for Distribution and ESO contracts, with responsibility for maximizing the Tool’s reporting functionality to support business strategy.

· Legal representative for the Distribution Review Committee (“DRC”) meetings for EME and Africa. Responsible for identification and assessment of legal and business risks to provide pragmatic and commercial solutions to the DRC members as well as provision of legal advice on issues such as infringements, termination of existing distributors/dealers, risk of compensation on termination and FCPA compliance.

· Responsible for maintaining, reviewing and revising precedent Distributor Agreement documents for use across the business, including taking the lead on EU compliance for all dealer, distributor and ancillary agreements to deliver consistent and efficient contract management across EME.

· Responsible for investigating Product Liability claims against AGCO and liaising with Product Liability, Warranty and Service Departments.

Commercial Contracts

· When required by your Legal Counsel Manager, provide legal assistance to Procurement and Sales teams with the drafting and review of Supply and Service Agreements Confidentiality Agreements, License Agreements, Collaboration Agreements and Cooperation Agreements.

Compliance

· Performing company searches on the “World Compliance” database used by AGCO to verify that AGCO business partners comply with the FCPA requirements

· Providing in person training on legal matters such as contract formation and contract law to internal departments in AGCO, without support of other team members.

· Responsible for reviewing and advising on FCPA/anti bribery, sanctions requirements.

· Work closely with external anti-trust lawyers to ensure strategic business initiatives are delivered in line with competition law requirements.

The role requires a high degree of understanding and sensitivity of relevant legal principles and multijurisdictional issues and knowledge of the business, particularly in relation to Commercial contracts, Distribution Agreements, and broad commercial knowledge. Support and training will be provided on the relevant business and legal aspect of the role and a candidate is able to grow into the full potential of the role with room for future growth. It also requires a high level of autonomous working (with support where necessary), utilizing research and analytical skills and legal knowledge to deliver solutions for legal issues and good understanding of the business as a whole is required to enable to give legal advice in a wider context. The ability to work successfully as part of a team and also to be able to work independently. It requires the ability to be proactive and flexible with the type of issues dealt with in the Legal team. Additionally, the ability to demonstrate a high standard of interpersonal written and oral communication skills both outside and within AGCO is of importance, as well as the ability to undertake a large workload, sometimes against deadlines whilst maintain a high attention to detail.

Qualifications

-LLB

-Diploma in Legal Practice

-Admission to the roll of Solicitors for England and Wales

-Previous legal work experience either in-house or in private practice, this role would be ideal for a candidate near the start of their legal career.

We offer the following benefits:

· Basic salary: Market Competitive Salary

· A company performance / Individual performance related bonus (20%)

· Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (The company contributes up to 10% for a 5% employee contributions)

· Life assurance and critical illness cover for Pension members

· 26 days holidays + statutory holidays

· Holiday trading

· Company car scheme

· BUPA healthcare

· Retail discount portal

· Confidential Employee Assistance Programme for employees and their immediate family

· On-site parking

· On-site restaurant

Employee development and growth is part of our company culture. If you are looking for an opportunity to work in an inspiring multinational environment for a leading global player of agricultural solutions, we look forward to receiving your application!