Sr. Counsel - Labor & Employment

Sr. Counsel – Labor & EmploymentThe Mennel Milling CompanyTitle: Sr. Counsel – Labor & EmploymentDepartment: Corporate AdministrationReports To: General CounselAre you an employment law attorney seeking meaningful work with better balance? We’re looking for a dynamic, curious, and confident legal professional ready to embrace the challenge of an in-house role focused on labor relations and employment law while developing broader corporate expertise. This position is ideal for someone who values work-life balance, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is eager to grow beyond specialized practice. If you/'re proactive, adaptable, and ready to make a direct impact within a purpose-driven organization, we invite you to explore this opportunity.About The Mennel Milling CompanyHeadquartered in Fostoria, Ohio, The Mennel Milling Company combines progressive innovation with 135 years of history. As the 7th largest milling company in the U.S., Mennel operates over 30 sites across six states, including six flour mills, 12 country grain elevators, three trucking companies, and two bakery mix facilities. Over 900 employees are dedicated to quality and service excellence.JOB SUMMARY: In this role, you will primarily advise on labor relations and employment law matters, and also support broader corporate and commercial legal needs. As part of a small but growing legal team, you will work directly with the General Counsel and gain experience across a wide variety of corporate legal projects.Primary Work ShiftTypical business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., onsite at the corporate office with the potential for a hybrid schedule.Essential Duties And Responsibilities We expect that, to perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without accommodation.Provide legal analysis and guidance on food and personal safety rules and regulations, including GMPs, OSHA, HACCP, Global Food Safety Initiative, and US FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. Advise on sanitation guidelines as listed in Corporate Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) and ensure compliance with all required training sessions. Support maintaining the department/facility in an audit-ready condition.Lead labor union negotiations and strategy for multiple collective bargaining units across manufacturing facilitiesAdvise on and manage labor disputes, grievances, and arbitrationsInterpret and negotiate collective bargaining agreements (CBAs)Provide legal counsel on employment law compliance, including wage & hour, discrimination, harassment, and leave laws across multiple state jurisdictionsSupport HR with investigations, terminations, and policy developmentManage outside counsel on employment litigationDraft, review, and negotiate commercial contractsProvide legal support on general corporate matters, including regulatory compliance and risk managementSupport compliance with food safety regulations and FDA requirementsAssist with risk management related to manufacturing operationsOther duties may be assigned.Supervisory ResponsibilitiesThis position has no supervisory duties.QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job.J.D. from an accredited law school; licensed to practice in Ohio or eligible for admission within six monthsFive to eight years of legal experience with a strong focus on labor and employment lawExperience with unionized workforces and collective bargaining in manufacturing environmentsLitigation and dispute resolution experienceStrong drafting and negotiation skillsAbility to work cross-functionally and manage multiple prioritiesBonus: Experience in corporate/commercial law, regulatory compliance, or contract lawBonus: Experience in food manufacturing, FDA regulations, or similar regulated industriesBonus: Familiarity with safety regulations in manufacturing settingsLanguage SkillsAbility to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos, procedures and plans. Ability to write, complete checklists and other basic documentation. Ability to effectively present information or data in one-on-one and small group situations to co-workers, supervisors, and managers.MATHEMATICAL SKILLSAbility to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.Reasoning AbilityMust use solid judgment when making decisions. Must have ability to quickly recognize and plan for changing work duties and events.Physical DemandsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands, and talk or hear. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and ability to adjust focus.WORK ENVIRONMENTThe Work Environment Characteristics Described Here Are Representative Of Those An Employee Encounters While Performing The Essential Functions Of This Job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to conditions typical of an office environment.Seniority levelMid-Senior levelEmployment typeFull-timeJob functionLegalIndustriesFood and Beverage Manufacturing #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-17