Legal Counsel

At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.

With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

We're looking for an experienced, commercially minded Legal Counsel to support our procurement, supply chain, and commercial operations. As a trusted business partner, you'll work closely with cross-functional teams to negotiate complex agreements, manage legal and commercial risks, resolve disputes, and provide pragmatic advice that enables business growth. This is an exciting opportunity for a legal professional who enjoys combining legal expertise with commercial thinking and influencing key business decisions in a dynamic international environment.

JOB FUNCTIONS: Job functions include but are not limited to the following:

Supply Chain & Procurement Partnership:

• Act as the primary legal business partner for Procurement and Supply Chain teams, providing pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice on a wide range of business matters.
• Serve as the main point of contact for supplier-related legal matters and lead legal reviews within the contract approval workflow for supplier agreements.

Commercial Contracting & Negotiation:

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts for customers and suppliers, including sales agreements, supply contracts, service agreements, distribution agreements, NDAs, licensing arrangements, and long-term framework agreements.
• Lead contract negotiations to secure favorable terms while maintaining strong business relationships.
• Ensure contractual documentation aligns with internal policies, commercial objectives, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage commercial claims related to product quality, delivery performance, warranties, pricing, and contractual obligations.
• Advise internal teams on dispute strategy, evidence collection, communication, and settlement options.
• Coordinate with external counsel when litigation or specialized expertise is required.
• Assess commercial risks and advise on mitigation strategies across Procurement, Sales, and Operations.
• Monitor changes in legislation relevant to manufacturing, supply chain, product liability, and commercial transactions.
• Support compliance with industry standards, certifications, and regulatory frameworks.

Internal Governance & Process Improvement:

• Drive the development and implementation of standardized legal processes, contract templates, playbooks, and guidance materials to improve efficiency, consistency, and risk management.
• Train internal stakeholders on legal topics such as contract interpretation, claims handling, and negotiation principles.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing risk, and strengthening commercial governance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner primarily with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to support sourcing strategies, supplier relationships, tender processes, and strategic supply chain initiatives.
• Provide legal support for supplier negotiations, procurement projects, and commercial initiatives across the supply chain.
• Support Sales teams in evaluating customer requirements, tender documents, and commercial opportunities as needed.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Finance, and other business functions on strategic and operational projects.
• Provide legal input for new product introductions, technical changes, and operational projects with contractual implications.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Master’s degree in Law, ideally with specialization in commercial law, contract law, or business law.
• 3 + years of relevant experience in a manufacturing, industrial, automotive, chemical, or B2B environment (in-house or law firm).
• Proven experience handling complex commercial contracts and claims.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to provide clear, actionable advice.
• Excellent negotiation skills and confidence in interacting with customers, suppliers, and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and business acumen.
• Fluency in English; additional languages (e.g., Dutch, French, German) are an advantage.

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