Corporate Counsel - Contracts

Job Opportunity At Smithfield Foods

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A great job-and a great future-awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We're looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us. Apply Now!

The Value You'll Bring: The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

As the Corporate Counsel - Contracts, you will provide legal advice to the Company and generally assist management with a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, including contract drafting and negotiation, interpretation of laws and corporate policies, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance. The attorney works closely with multi-level operational departments to achieve business objectives within acceptable risk profiles. The attorney performs duties consistent with legal and ethical requirements as well as the Company's values, standards, culture, and business practices.

What You'll Do: The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

Contract Drafting & Negotiation: Draft, analyze, and negotiate complex and routine commercial contracts.

End-to-End Contract Management: Oversee contract matters from intake to execution, assisting with ongoing contract management, dispute resolution, and advising on performance issues and contractual remedies

Contract Lifecycle & Standardization: Support contract lifecycle management, revise templates, and enforce contracting standards to ensure organization-wide consistency.

Negotiation Strategy Development: Develop negotiation strategies based on contract terms, legal compliance, and company strategies.

Management Communication: Prepare business cases and executive summaries outlining negotiation schedules, issues, and risks.

What We're Seeking: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience: Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and 5+ years of relevant experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts with a well-regarded law firm or corporate legal department.

Licensure: Must be admitted to practice law in at least one state.

Independent Legal Acumen: Skilled lawyer with the ability to manage heavy workload in a highly dynamic environment with minimal supervision.

Other Skills That Make You Stand Out:

Project & Priority Management: Proven ability to manage multiple matters, shifting priorities, and deadlines with efficiency and accuracy; highly detail-oriented.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to clearly convey complex issues across departments and to external partners.

Sound Judgment & Critical Thinking: Strong analytical skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment; adept at identifying key issues, assessing risks, and articulating well-reasoned recommendations.

Business-Oriented Legal Guidance: Demonstrated ability to counsel internal clients on legal risk and offer creative, practical solutions that align with business objectives.

Professionalism & Ethics: Strong work ethic grounded in urgency, fairness, integrity, and accountability; consistently focused on achieving business outcomes.

Collaboration Under Pressure: Calm and collegial team player who thrives in high-pressure environments and values collaborative problem-solving.

Client Partnership: Committed to being an engaged and accessible legal partner who understands business needs and adds strategic value.

Adaptability & Agility: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining focus and professionalism.

Relationship Building: Respectful, approachable, and proactive in fostering strong working relationships and a positive team culture.

Travel Readiness: Willingness to travel occasionally to support business and legal initiatives.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EEO/AA INFORMATION

Smithfield is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with disability, or any other protected group status or non-job related characteristic as directed by law.

Relocation Package Available: Yes