Legal Business Partner

Kō wai mātou? Who are we?

Zespri is more than simply the world's single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand's best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.

He aha te mahi? What's the role?

Based in Singapore, the Legal Business Partner partners with teams across Marketing, Brand, Consumer, Sustainability and Strategy, providing pragmatic, commercially focused legal and risk advice that supports business objectives and enables sound decision-making. Working as part of a global legal team, this role plays a key part in supporting strategic initiatives, managing legal and compliance risks, and delivering practical solutions in a fast-paced, international business environment.

Building strong relationships across the organisation, the Legal Business Partner works closely with stakeholders at all levels to navigate complex challenges, support business growth, and promote ethical behaviour, good governance and legal compliance.

With 7 years of in-house legal experience, the Legal Business Partner builds strategic legal partnering relationship with hands-on advice across a diverse portfolio of work, helping Zespri achieve its long-term ambitions while managing risk in a practical way. This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of brand, consumer, sustainability and strategy, supporting initiatives that directly impact Zespri's reputation, customers and global growth ambitions.

Key Accountabilities

Collective Accountability & Behaviour

• Work as part of the Legal function to deliver excellence in the legal function, drive strategic initiatives, work across functions and contribute positively and proactively to Zespri-wide issues

Operations and Implementation

• Work with Head of Legal NZ and other members of the Legal team to ensure strong corporate governance practices across all Zespri entities, including ZGL Board Subcommittees and Advisory Boards, ensuring that Zespri legal entities meet all legal requirements in respect of New Zealand based corporate secretarial/structural regulatory requirements, statutory documentation and corporate compliance
• Partner with stakeholders across marketing, brand, consumer and sustainability functions, providing legal advice on strategic initiatives, campaigns, commercial arrangements, consumer-facing activities and emerging regulatory requirements
• Provide strategic and commercially focused legal advice across a diverse portfolio including marketing, brand, consumer, sustainability and strategic business initiatives, delivering practical legal solutions that support business objectives
• Support New Zealand based litigation and dispute resolution proceedings in association with Legal function leaders to achieve the best possible outcomes having regard to strategic objectives, stakeholder perception, financial and commercial risk
• Support the business on evolving sustainability and ESG requirements, helping stakeholders navigate regulatory obligations while enabling delivery of Zespri's long-term sustainability objectives
• Provide best-practice technical expertise on relevant regulatory, contractual and dispute resolution matters, proactively identify emerging legal issues and trends which impact on Zespri, engaging wider stakeholders to get agreement on alignment of risk management with strategic objectives of the business

Stakeholder Management

• Support regulatory engagement with Kiwifruit New Zealand and other relevant governmental bodies at a policy level when required
• Maintain up to date perspective on regulatory and legal trends to understand impacts on Zespri, and work with other members of the legal function to provide up to date perspectives on regulatory and legal trends relevant to Zespri

Ko wai koe? Who are you?

We're looking for a team player with 7 years experience in PQE. You will also fulfill the following:

• Experience in in-house legal roles ideally in FMCG, primary sector or consumer facing business
• Strong technical knowledge in legal issues relating to commercial matters, intangible assets, agribusiness and/or consumer marketing
• Ability to analyse and understand ambiguous and complex issues, and translate these into business opportunities, strategy and action
• Demonstrated ability to work with multiple internal and external stakeholders to manage and deliver complex strategic workstreams and influence wider stakeholder groups
• Experience within the legal team of a global/ multi-national operation would be preferred
• Demonstrated drive for continuous improvement
• High level of integrity and trustworthiness with highly confidential and sensitive information

He aha e tika ai a Zespri? Why Zespri?

Our people are what makes our culture so irresistible and uniquely Zespri. We are a passionate and mighty team of 850+ employees in 23 different locations globally. Working at Zespri is an opportunity to join a fast-paced, culture-driven environment unlike any other. We want people who share our values of making it happen, creating real connections, and leaving a legacy. Join us in shaping our future and be part of a truly unique organisation.
 

• Competitive overall remuneration package, including a Short-Term Incentive scheme opportunity.
• FlexWELL flexible work ethos; WFH & the office.
• Additional paid annual leave day per year (Zespri Day).
• Two additional paid leave days for you to proactively support the moments that genuinely boost your mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing (Boost Days).
• Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance.
• Group Medical Insurance benefits.

Tono mai inaianei! Apply Now!

At Zespri, we understand the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, and a fair hiring process is the first step to getting there. We want to attract a diverse range of people and encourage everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment and selection process by reaching out to our Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@zespri.com_._

Agency

Zespri will not accept applications or contact from any temporary staffing agency, placement service or professional recruiter for this vacancy (“Agency”).

Where Zespri requires the support of an agency to fulfil a vacancy, we will proactively seek this support from our network of Agencies.  We respectfully ask that you do not contact Zespri or any of its affiliates/employees regarding vacancies, and reserve the right not to reply.

Zespri will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions or other payments related to such unsolicited resumes.