Paralegal

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.

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!

Your Opportunity

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

The Paralegal is responsible for drafting, analyzing and revising legal documents under the supervision of an attorney, facilitating contract processing between business units and the legal team, and administering law department systems and processes that track and manage contracts, document management, outside counsel billing and other law firm systems.

Core Responsibilities

• Work with company lawyers to perform paralegal functions involving varied subject matters, including:

  • labor and employment,
  • contracts,
  • federal, state and local regulatory matters,
  • products liability and other torts, 
  • intellectual property, and 
  • insurance
• Implement and execute processes, workflows and tools to improve Law Department efficiency, including contracts review, management and retention, data management and records retention policies.
• Manage vendors who provide technical services to Smithfield lawyers, including outside law firm billing system.
• Communicate with outside law firms on administrative matters.
• Assist with managing and updating corporate subsidiary minute books, records and state registrations and filings.
• Assist corporate compliance function, including implementing and managing ethics and other company policies.
• Liaison with outside law firms on administrative matters.
• Implement and execute processes and tools to improve Law Department efficiency.

The above 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.

Qualifications

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.

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 2+ years of relevant legal experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Paralegal education or certification and previous paralegal experience preferred.
• General understanding of basic state and federal laws preferred.
• General understanding of contracts preferred.
• Ability to speak and write clearly and effectively; establish trust and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex assignments in a fast-paced work environment.
• Excellent computer and technical skills to include proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience using Serengeti and other legal software a plus.
• Customer service mindset; demonstrated success working with business partners in a fast paced, team-oriented work environment to achieve results.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Your Opportunity

Seeking an experienced contracts attorney to provide legal advice and leadership to the Company and to support the Law Department and individual business units with a wide range of commercial contracting matters. The attorney works closely with the company’s Law Department leadership and individual business units to achieve business objectives within acceptable risk profiles. The attorney performs duties consistent with legal and ethical requirements as well as Company values, standards, culture and business practices.

Core Responsibilities

• Drafting, analyzing and negotiating complex and routine commercial contracts, including non-disclosure agreements, master services agreements, SOWs, SaaS agreements, supply chain agreements, transportation agreements, licensing and other technology agreements.

• Managing a contract matter throughout the process, from intake or drafting through negotiation and execution, and assisting the business in on-going contract management and dispute resolution. Advising on performance issues and available contractual remedies.

• Preparing negotiation strategies that reflect an advanced knowledge of contract terms and conditions, legal requirements for compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the Company’s overall strategies.

• Preparing executive summaries detailing contract negotiation schedules, issues and risks.

• Supporting the Law Department in contract lifecycle management, template creation and the development of contracting standards applicable to the organization to achieve organization-wide consistency.

• Researching and evaluating contract management products and other legal technology tools to streamline legal processes. Assisting in implementing innovative legal products and procedures.

• Preparing and delivering trainings and tool kits for the business and helping to develop contracting processes.

• Supervising and training junior attorneys and paralegals. Actively managing outside counsel.

The above 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.

Qualifications

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.

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school and 8+ years relevant experience required.

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

• Must have a minimum of six years of substantive experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts with a corporate legal department or a well-regarded law firm.

• Skilled lawyer with the ability to independently manage heavy workload in a highly dynamic environment.

• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage multiple matters and changing priorities and to complete projects in a timely and accurate manner. Detail-oriented.

• Excellent communication (oral and written), organization, analytical and interpersonal skills. Ability to clearly communicate complex concepts to internal clients and externally.

• Sound judgment; ability to think critically, make and articulate well-reasoned recommendations and determine who should be kept informed.

• Ability to counsel internal clients on the risks associated with various options and to present creative solutions to difficult problems to achieve the desired business outcome while appropriately managing risk.

• Performance-driven with good business sense, a strong work ethic and a sense of urgency, honesty and fairness. Strong sense of ownership over matters.

• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team-oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment. Committed to be an engaged partner to internal clients.

• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.

• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team-oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

• Willing to travel on an occasional basis.

IndSPR-Corp

EEO/AA Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.