Job Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated, hands-on, and business-oriented Legal Director / Legal Counsel (Job grade to be determined based on experience) with at least years of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE). This role will serve as the cornerstone of the company's legal function in Singapore, providing comprehensive legal, contractual, and compliance support across business operations.
Key Responsibilities
1. Business Partnering & Commercial Legal Support
- Partner closely with Finance, Procurement, Sales, and Operations teams to provide proactive legal guidance and risk mitigation strategies.
- Support Finance Business Partner teams in managing bad debt risk, including reviewing customer credit terms and supporting debt recovery efforts.
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including:
- Supplier and procurement agreements
- Customer contracts and terms & conditions
- Logistics and distribution agreements
- Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
- Service and vendor agreements
- Develop, standardize, and maintain legal templates, contract playbooks, and internal guidelines to improve efficiency and risk control.
- Manage contract lifecycle processes, including execution, archiving, and corporate seal administration.
- Draft and issue legal demand letters and support pre-litigation dispute management.
- Provide timely, practical, and commercially sound legal advice on day-to-day business operations.
2. Compliance, Corporate Governance & Risk Management
- Design, implement, and maintain a scalable legal and compliance framework aligned with business growth and operational needs.
- Establish and enforce internal legal and governance policies, particularly relating to contract management and approval processes.
- Develop and conduct compliance training programs for commercial, procurement, operations, and other functional teams.
- Support HR in ensuring compliance with Singapore employment laws and MOM regulations.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments in Singapore and the broader Southeast Asia region and advise management accordingly.
3. Dispute Resolution & External Counsel Management
- Manage pre-litigation disputes, claims, and legal proceedings involving the company.
- Coordinate and manage external law firms, including selection, engagement, and performance management.
- Provide strategic oversight on litigation and dispute resolution matters.
- Manage legal budgets and ensure cost-effective use of external legal resources.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a recognized university.
- Qualified to practice law in Singapore (Singapore Bar admission required). Admission in Malaysia is a plus.
- Years of relevant PQE, with a combination of private practice and in-house experience preferred.
- Prior in-house legal experience in supply chain, FMCG, logistics, retail, or fast-growing companies is strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting China-headquartered companies or working in China-linked business environments is highly advantageous.
- Strong knowledge of Singapore contract law, corporate law, and compliance regulations. Familiarity with Malaysia legal framework is a plus.
- Proven ability to independently draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements across various business functions.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth, and evolving business environment.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in Mandarin is highly preferred to liaise with Mandarin-speaking stakeholders and China HQ.
