Head Legal– Foods, India

Job Title: Head Legal– Foods, India

Reports to: Vivek Mittal, Executive Director- Legal and Corporate Affairs, India 

Function: Legal

Location: Mumbai HO

Business Context and Background

Unilever is one of the world`s largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) businesses, with interest across 5 Business Groups, including the Foods Business Group. As Unilever we want our business to flourish, and we know that our success depends on others flourishing around us. That's why our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace, and why sustainable, long-term growth is at the heart of our business model. 

Foods is a €13bn business with an industry leading profit margin. Foods is close to 1/4th of the Unilever’s Turnover, present in (virtually) every market where the Company operates. Our products get chosen more than 10bn times a year, 3bn of those purchases are generated by Knorr, our biggest mega-brand accounting for almost €4.5bn Turnover. Hellmann’s is the second largest brand within Foods, approximately a €3bn Turnover threshold. The rest is represented by strong regional and local brands including Horlicks, Bango, Calve and Red Label.

Foods business in India:

Unilever Foods business is in India is over 1.5 billion Euros per annum which sells and markets Unilever products through distributive trade and customers in modern trade. A large part of the business in India is contributed by key cells including Brooke Bond, Horlicks, Bru and Kissan.

Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that strive to improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us every day. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best.

At HUL, we believe that every individual irrespective of their race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, nationality, caste, disability or marital status can bring their purpose to life. So, apply to us, to unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make the world a better place. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we will work to help you become a better you!

Main Purpose of the Job: 

This role is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to support the growth and success of HUL and to work seamlessly with the leadership teams across the markets in the India cluster for the Foods category, which is a critical growth driver for HUL. This role requires excellent leadership skills, deep legal knowledge, domain expertise in food laws and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross functional teams.

The Legal Head-Foods, India will be responsible for identifying and mitigating legal risk and provide high quality, expert legal advice and support to the India business. This role will be a part of the Foods leadership team and the HUL Legal Leadership & Foods Global Legal leadership teams and will work closely with the Category business heads of Foods. As part of the Legal Leadership team for India, the role will also be responsible for working with the Executive Director- Legal to craft the strategy for the function and in leading, managing and developing the team. The role works closely with Unilever Foods Business Group and the Group General Counsel to effectively strategise for the Foods business in India, implementing the global plans within the Indian legal framework.   

Key accountabilities:

• Part of India Foods business Leadership team (FLT) Partner with Category Leaders in the development and execution of the category strategy, plans and legal implications of the same. As part of FLT, the Legal Head – Food India will act as point of contact for India Foods business teams for legal issues, end to end for the Foods business, including issues relating to R&D, Supply Chain, Sales (Customer Development) and post-sales.

• Identify and mitigate potential legal and reputational risks by providing high quality, expert legal advice and by improving & maintaining the governance framework in terms of customer compliance, sanctions framework, product & regulatory compliance, contracts compliance on the one hand and providing competitive advantage for the growth of the business on the other.

• Prepare, negotiate and review legal agreements governing commercial relationships with third parties with whom the Company has dealings. Review, draft, approve and negotiate a variety of contracts, agreements, and legal documents, including but not limited to, sourcing agreements, vendor contracts, and licensing agreements.

• Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.

• Identifying potential legal risks of business activities, being 3 steps ahead in terms of regulations and legislations, proactively taking steps to minimize legal exposure effectively through practical advice to the business and putting the business to growth opportunities

• Advising on new product development projects, including the legality of and support for claims, product positioning, and input into preparation of communication materials

• External legal issues impacting the Foods business such as Competition/ Commercial, Corporate, Marketing, regulatory, and Advertising Environmental/sustainability, related and where relevant.

• Liaison with the regulatory or statutory authority as and when required.

• Collaborating with Foods BG General Counsel and central IP teams in effective IP strategy for all Foods portfolio and finding opportunities of growth through the IP strategy for Foods business in India.

• Collaborating and working with central Foods BG legal teams in finalising strategies for Unilever group including in India for critical foods business related issues like contaminants, allergens, FOP/BOP labelling, Ultra-processed foods, HFSS, green washing and other such similar issues.

• Collaborating and working with Foods legal network, external law firms, solving challenges collaboratively across markets, while ensuring to manage budget for Foods legal.

• Preparing strategy and ensuring trainings are conducted for the business in, amongst others, Legal Induction, Marketing & IP Laws, Privacy Laws and Competition Laws

• Support the Executive Director- Legal in leading, managing and developing the Legal team

Experience and qualifications required:

• Minimum of 15+ years of experience in a fast-paced company; Strong functional expertise and business partnering experience is essential; Ability to understand business drivers and strategic thrusts of the organization.

• Legal drafting skills and good attention to detail, including when operating under pressure. Highly developed ability to successfully negotiate to achieve desired outcomes.

• Ability to use legal knowledge and skills to give strategic legal advice, solve problems, identify pragmatic solutions, proactively manage risks and spot opportunities.

• Ability to establish, develop and maintain good relationships with internal and external stakeholders across levels.

• Leadership and management skills with a proven ability to manage a team.

Key interfaces

INTERNAL

• Executive Director- Legal and Corporate Affairs, India

• Executive Director, Foods and General Manager, India Foods BU

• Group General Counsel, Foods, Unilever

• India Foods leadership team

• Global Foods Legal Leadership team

• BU R&D 

• BG and BU Finance 

• Procurement 

EXTERNAL:

• Government Authorities

• Local Authorities