Senior Vice President, General Counsel

Ruiz Foods has been family owned since 1964, is one of the largest Hispanic-owned companies in the country and is the proud maker of two #1 brands: El Monterey frozen Mexican food and Tornados roller grill taquitos in grocery stores and convenience stores across the US and Canada.

Are you looking for career development opportunities in an exciting company that cares about its team members and consumers alike? Come join our team and help us continue our industry-leading track record of growth, quality, and delicious food!   

The SVP General Counsel is functionally responsible for the corporate wide-legal function. The General Counsel acts as the primary legal advisor to the board of directors, the chair of the board, the chief executive officer, and other officers and executives of the Company. This role works closely with legal advisors to the board, other executives, and senior leadership in the company to ensure our operations are guided with legal expertise. As General Counsel, this role ensures that every aspect of governance and reporting is not just compliant but is also an enhancement to our ability to lead, to engage with stakeholders effectively. 

Responsible for ensuring that the company’s legal requirements are satisfied, and the company’s risks are mitigated related to governance, intellectual property portfolio management, brand protection and enforcement, litigation prevention and response, contracts administration and negotiation.  This position is responsible to engaged and provide oversight of all external legal services to ensure that corporate objectives are met in the most cost-effective manner.  

In addition, this position is responsible to advise management performing due diligence of potential acquisitions and negotiation of terms, board committee relationships and support, development of the legal team, oversight of legal functions and collaboration with leadership on key matters. 

 DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• approval, and execution of significant contracts. Acts as an expert legal advisor in contract negotiations to provide appropriate legal perspective and to prevent the acceptance of undue risk. Responsible for providing legal function support to the development of competitive claims and accountable for the resolution of disputes involving such claims, including claims made by competitors.
• Leads the company’s litigation prosecution and defense efforts in all areas of the business, coordinating with outside legal firms, experts, internal staff, and management. Provides regular reports and statistics as required.
• Evaluates, oversees, and advises on the resolution of product liability claims and lawsuits.
• Manage and direct all general corporate matters, corporate governance, license and collaboration agreements, employment law matters, regulatory matters, risk management, and general contract management.
• Manage in-house paralegal and the legal team on all company matters.
• Lead enterprise risk management program including company-wide training and compliance program (e.g., intellectual property practices, employment matters)
• Help manage and support the day-to-day affairs of the department, including reviewing and addressing various requests from the organization, and interfacing with business teams, outside counsel, and consultants.
• The Corporate Counsel will support this mission by collaborating with various business functions across the organization as a trusted legal advisor to provide practical advice and solutions.
• Counsel the business on labor and employment-related issues, including investigations and employee-relation matters.
• Benefit Plan document research, preparation, and revisions.

• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, including vendor engagements, supply agreements, continuing guarantees, distribution agreements, NDAs, equipment purchase agreements, marketing agreements and various professional services and consulting agreements.
• Provide proactive, collaborative, solutions-oriented advice designed to mitigate risk, maximize recoveries, and support business priorities, including with respect to people safety and food safety.

• Customer Credit and Freight Claim advice and legal document preparation.
• Various legal certificates and filings (Secretary of State, etc.).
• Licensing agreements and accountable for oversight of the company’s records management and data privacy policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree from top tier law school. M&A-related experience a plus
• Twenty (20) plus years of experience in corporate, labor relations, transactions, and intellectual property law, from the perspective of corporate counsel responsibilities.
• In the context of our company, the role is expected to be a teacher and a strong individual contributor. 
• Licensed to practice law in appropriate jurisdiction, preferably Texas or California.
• Experience providing counsel to the CEO and board of directors on critical business issues and legal and regulatory compliance matters.
• Experience as external counsel, as well as experience serving as an internal legal leader.

• Demonstrated experience working directly with senior levels of management and effectively communicate legal issues: and making sound decision within tight deadlines.
• Significant experience acting in the role of corporate secretary or advising corporate secretaries.

• Communication: Excellent analytical and communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner
• Judgment: Strong independent judgment and ability to devise practical, business-oriented solutions, and make sound decisions quickly and in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty
• Collaboration: Collaborative and approachable team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Initiative: Self-starter - willingness to tackle diverse projects in a small in-house legal team environment
• Adaptable: Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within changing priorities with enthusiasm
• Technical Proficiencies: proficient in Microsoft Office tools and Westlaw, LexisNexis, and/or Practical Law; working knowledge of Excel.
• The position requires strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and enthusiasm for handling issues across a variety of subject matters/areas of law.

• Ability to work as a team in a casual atmosphere.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school and admitted to practice law in Texas or California
• Degree from top tier law school.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage and lead cross-functional projects.
• Exceptional research and writing skills.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.