General Counsel EBSC and SSA

COFCO International is a global agri-business with a clear vision, strong values and a positive culture, focused on being a leader in the global grains, oilseeds and sugar supply chains. We provide the food the world needs in a responsible way. Headquartered is Geneva, Switzerland, we are ambitious, with the right structures and culture to meet the world's increasing and changing needs. With 11,000+ people in 35 countries, our global portfolio includes assets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We trade with over 50 nations, while providing farmers unique direct access to the growing Chinese market.

JOB PURPOSE
COFCO International Netherlands B.V. is looking for a General Counsel to lead the company’s Netherlands based legal and regulatory functions.
The successful candidate will ensure compliance with local and international laws, provide strategic legal counsel, manage corporate governance of the Dutch entity, oversee regulatory interactions and regional disputes, and proactively mitigate legal risks across the company’s agricultural commodity trading and ancillary operations in the Europe, Middle East, Black Sea & North and South African regions.
You will report to the Managing Director, EMEA and work closely with local and global management teams, as well as COFCO International’s global legal team based in Geneva. Occasional international travel is required to support regional operations and attend negotiations or hearings.

RESPONSABILITIES

• Negotiation and drafting of commercial and finance contracts, including sales, purchases, storage, logistics, and service agreements.
• Providing strategic partnership and support to the senior commercial managers and trading teams by providing tailored legal solutions in a fast-paced, international environment.
• Advising on legal implications of strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures.
• Maintaining corporate records, board minutes and regulatory filings.
• Legal administration of the Dutch entity, including managing employment, procurement and commercial property queries.
• Proactive management of litigation, arbitration and pre-litigation disputes in the regions, providing time critical and commercially motivated advice.
• Champion a culture of legal and ethical responsibility throughout the organization and the regions.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with finance, compliance, HR sustainability and other support functions globally.
• Manage and grow the skills of a team of reportees.

SKILLS

Interpersonal

• High impact personality with strong ethical standards, discretion, and integrity.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills, with internal stakeholders and supporting external counsel.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure trading environment with an eclectic workload.
• Team player, self-motivated and energetic with a drive to contribute and grow.

Leadership

• Proven experience in leading and developing cross-border legal teams.
• Partnering with commercial teams to facilitate business within permissible legal parameters to achieve the organisation’s strategic objectives.
  
  

Technical

• Corporate legal affairs, corporate governanceDispute and budget management.
• Expertise in sanctions and compliance in a trading context would be welcomed.
• Any direct experience in trading, shipping or commodities would be favourably considered but is not essential.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Law (LL.M in Dutch law).
• Additional qualifications (e.g. LLM, Bar admission) are advantageous.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant legal experience, including in-house counsel or law firm practice.
• Fluency in English and Dutch essential.

COFCO International is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.    www.cofcointernational.com

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice (https://www.cofcointernational.com/data-privacy-center/global-candidate-privacy-policy/) to know how COFCO collects and processes your personal data during your job application.