About the position
A global leader in specialty chemicals and ingredients distribution is seeking an experienced In-House Legal Counsel to join their South African operations. This is a broad, high-impact role within a well-resourced international legal function, offering genuine autonomy and exposure across multiple African jurisdictions.
Here's the recruitment advert:
In-House Legal Counsel | Specialty Chemicals & Distribution | Johannesburg (Randburg)
A global leader in specialty chemicals and ingredients distribution is seeking an experienced In-House Legal Counsel to join their South African operations. This is a broad, high-impact role within a well-resourced international legal function, offering genuine autonomy and exposure across multiple African jurisdictions.
About the Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to step into a commercially focused, multi-disciplinary in-house legal role within a publicly listed multinational operating across 60+ countries. Based in Johannesburg and reporting to the Managing Director locally — with dotted reporting into the Financial & Operations Director and the EMEA Legal Counsel — you'll be the primary legal resource for South Africa and Kenya, while forming part of a centrally managed international legal department headquartered in the Netherlands.
The scope is broad, the environment is fast-paced, and the role carries real strategic weight.
What You'll Be Doing
Legal Advisory & Contract Management
- Providing day-to-day legal advice and support to business teams across South Africa and Kenya
- Advising on commercial, distribution, supply chain, antitrust, export, HR & labour law, and debt collection matters
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts and agreements
- Managing the full contract lifecycle including execution, loading, and governance via contract management systems
Compliance & Governance
- Acting as the African Compliance Officer, leading and overseeing compliance programmes across the region
- Overseeing dissemination of the Group's Code of Conduct and Business Principles, including ethics investigations and staff training
- Monitoring corporate governance for all group entities in South Africa and Kenya
- Managing BBBEE compliance and monitoring
- Heading the Social & Ethics Committee
Risk, Litigation & IP
- Identifying and managing legal risks associated with business operations
- Overseeing litigation and supporting outside counsel on complex matters
- Advising on intellectual property portfolio strategy and enforcement
M&A & Strategic Support
- Providing legal support for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and entity formation
- Assisting with integration projects for acquired companies
- Supporting the company's broader strategic initiatives with timely legal analysis
Operations & Administration
- Performing company secretarial functions, including board meeting materials and minutes
- Overseeing delinquent debtor collection processes
- Managing outside counsel relationships effectively and efficiently
- Developing and implementing internal legal policies and best practices
What You'll Need
- LLM with 7+ years of relevant post-qualification experience — essential
- Good standing with the relevant legal licensing authority
- Strong commercial law knowledge, particularly in distribution and agency law — essential
- Proven experience drafting and negotiating contracts in a commercial environment
- Solid understanding of corporate governance, BEE legislation, and regulatory compliance
- Experience with M&A transactions and due diligence
- Familiarity with international legal issues and cross-border regulations
- Excellent negotiation, drafting, and communication skills — both written and verbal
- Ability to operate autonomously with a high degree of integrity
- Experience in a fast-paced in-house legal environment
- Knowledge of the chemical manufacturing or distribution sector — advantageous
- Experience with contract management software (e.g. OnBase by Hyland) — advantageous
- Experience with training platforms (e.g. Cornerstone) — advantageous
Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Desired Skills:
- Legal Council
- LLB
- Commercial Experience
Employer & Job Benefits:
