General Counsel

The Vice President and General Counsel will provide day-to-day business and legal affairs expertise for The Save Mart Companies in addition to oversight of Risk Management, Contract Administration and Compliance.  This position will work closely with the executive team and board of directors to provides advice and guidance on legal requirements at the federal, state and regulatory levels. This position structures, negotiates, and drafts a wide-range of complex agreements, to include knowledge of union and non-union regulations. This position aids in the preparation and management of particular cases, examines legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuits, conducting pretrial preparations, and providing legal defense.

The Vice President and General Counsel advises concerning transactions of business involving internal affairs, stockholders, directors, officers and corporate relations with general public.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: 

·         Direct, oversee, and manage legal activities and functions to ensure the company's legal and compliance position is developed and maintained; represents the company before government agencies.

·         Keep fully informed and current on all legislation and case law affecting the company's operations and of all corporate legal matters; keep all levels of management informed of applicable new laws, regulatory compliance requirements, and of the progress and results of court cases.

·         Establish legal services required by the company, and ensure that the company is protected from any legal action.

·         Work with all departments on developing and modifying policies and procedures to conform to legal and regulatory requirements.

·         Lead the defense of lawsuits and the prosecution of lawsuits on behalf of the company.

·         Hire, develop and direct a professionally competent staff of attorneys and legal and paralegal generalists and specialists.

·         Serve as liaison with outside legal firms, and monitor and evaluate their activities.

·         Provide legal expertise to other departments where needed.

LOCATION: MODESTO, CA.

Requirements (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):

·         Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local laws

·         Thorough knowledge of the judicial system 

·         Ability to strategically manage people as business resources, and lead them as a valuable asset. Ability to effectively speak, write and listen in a non-judgmental fashion.

·         Ability to identify opportunities for business improvements, translating between legal and non-legal audiences, simplifying complex problems, and driving value from data.

·         Ability to effectively negotiate with both internal and external groups.

·         Ability to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers.

·         Ability to bring out the best in people.

·         Ability to make fact-based decisions, integrity, makes expectations clear, understands big picture

·         Ability to foster a collaborative and legally compliant business environment

·         Is result-oriented and demonstrates Excellence in Execution.

·         Ability to challenge self and others to perform; enjoys working hard

·         Ability to lead and handles change, deals well with ambiguity, and is able to adapt quickly in a nimble environment

·         Ability to work independently with minimal direction

Education: Four-year college degree (or equivalent knowledge gained through formal education, specialized training, or additional job experience), 

Juris Doctor degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association. Licensed to practice law in the state of California.

Experience: Ten years applicable working experience, to include experience with regulatory compliance, employment law, and counseling management; Corporate Law preferred; experience with California and/or Nevada regulations governing the retail grocery industry preferred

Other: Some travel required

Physical: Basic office environment: ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, stoop, use stairs, reach, pull and lift objects