Nicols – Legal Counsel

The Legal Counsel will oversee and manage the company’s legal activities, providing hands-on legal support to management and operational teams. The role covers a broad scope including contract management, regulatory and product compliance, corporate governance, IP, and dispute management. You will report to the CFO (Legal & Compliance Department) and work in close collaboration with internal stakeholders across Regulatory Affairs, Product Development, Procurement, Sales & Marketing, Finance, and the Executive Committee. During a transition period, you will coordinate with external legal advisors and progressively internalize legal matters.

Your missions will include:

Contract Management

• Review customer, supplier, logistics and distribution agreements.
• Draft, negotiate and manage commercial contracts, NDAs, templates and clauses.
• Ensure proper contract lifecycle management and risk mitigation.

Legal Strategy, Governance & Transactions

• Define and implement legal policies and standards.
• Support corporate transactions (including M&A) and legal structuring.
• Provide strategic legal advice to management.

Product Compliance & Regulatory Affairs

• Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable product regulations across markets.
• Support product approvals (ingredients, labelling, SDS).
• Align internal policies with external regulatory obligations.

Intellectual Property & Regulatory Affairs

• Protect trademarks, designs and patents.
• Conduct IP infringement checks prior to market entry.
• Coordinate with IP advisors where needed.

Corporate Governance

• Support the Board and shareholders.
• Manage legal entity administration and corporate housekeeping.

Risk, Compliance, Litigation & Dispute Management

• Manage claims, litigation and insurance matters.
• Address competition law, anti-corruption, code of conduct and GDPR topics.
• Implement risk management processes and legal checkpoints within operations.

• A Master’s degree in Law (commercial / corporate focus).
• At least 5 years of experience in commercial law, contract law and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience in FMCG, consumer goods or a manufacturing environment.

You demonstrate:

• Strong expertise in commercial and contract law (drafting, negotiation, risk assessment).
• Solid understanding of regulatory compliance (product-related, environmental, consumer).
• Knowledge of IP law (trademarks, designs).
• Experience in risk management and dispute resolution.
• Ability to structure processes and embed legal controls in business operations.

You are:

• Business-oriented and able to translate legal risk into clear, actionable advice.
• Pragmatic, solution-driven and collaborative.
• Comfortable interacting with senior stakeholders.
• Autonomous, hands-on and well-organised.

Languages required:

• Fluent in English and French (additional EU languages are an asset).

Nicols offers a challenging and visible legal role with broad scope and direct business impact. You will join a dynamic environment where the legal function plays a key role in strategic decision-making. A competitive remuneration package is offered, in line with experience.

Wij geloven dat we door perfecte matches te creëren tussen juridische professionals en bedrijven, niet alleen carrières kunnen transformeren, maar ook juridische teams kunnen versterken. Dit leidt tot meer succes en voldoening voor zowel kandidaten als klanten. Met een team van gemotiveerde drietalige recruitment partners hebben we al meer dan 1.000 vacatures succesvol ingevuld, met een indrukwekkende succesratio van 98% bij vaste aanwervingen.