Group Legal Counsel & Compliance Officer
Postal/Burgstall - Headquarters & Production Plant, Zona di Produzione Winkelau 9, Postal - Burgstall, Bolzano, Italia
Dr. Schär is a global community of innovative and collaborative people, free to think outside the box and to unlock their full potential in terms of creativity, capability, and courage.
The Group Legal Counsel & Compliance Officer is responsible for leading the Group’s global legal, compliance, and governance framework, ensuring effective risk management, regulatory and internal compliance, and legal oversight across all jurisdictions in which the Group operates. The role supports the CFO and executive leadership by embedding a structured, risk-based and control-oriented approach, drawing on experience from highly regulated environments. The Group Legal Counsel & Compliance Officer reports to the Group CFO.
Your responsibilities:
Legal, Governance & Compliance
- Act as senior legal advisor to the CFO, CEO and Board
- Manage corporate governance, board processes and shareholder matters
- Identify, assess and escalate legal and compliance risks
- Build and maintain the corporate Compliance & Governance framework
- Conduct internal risk and compliance assessments with reporting to the Board
- Monitor remediation from risks and internal controls
- Collaborate with internal teams, auditors and regulators
Commercial & Corporate
- Oversee complex commercial contracts (Supply, Manufacturing, Distribution, Licensing, R&D)
- Support M&A, restructuring and cross-border transactions
- Manage contract repositories
Policies & Controls
- Own and maintain group-wide legal and compliance policies (Code of Conduct, ABC, Antitrust, Whistleblowing, Delegation of Authority, etc.)
- Ensure consistent implementation through training and monitoring
- Manage central repositories for policies and controls
Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure compliance with laws and certifications across all functions
- Monitor regulatory developments (Food law, Labelling, Product liability, ESG, GDPR, etc.)
- Work closely with Quality, Regulatory Affairs, R&D, IT and Operations
IP, Litigation, Insurance & Employment
- Oversee trademarks, patents, know‑how and brand protection activities
- Manage litigation and external counsel
- Oversee insurance programs
- Support employment law matters and executive governance topics
Leadership
- Lead and develop the Group Legal & Compliance function
- Define priorities, KPIs and resource plans aligned with CFO strategy
Your profile:
- Master’s degree in Law; Additional specialization in Compliance, Governance, Risk, Food Law or Data Protection is a plus
- 10+ years in legal/compliance roles within multinational companies or top-tier international law firms
- Experience in regulated industries (Food, Pharma, FMCG, Manufacturing) preferred
- Expertise in corporate/commercial law, regulatory matters, M&A, litigation and insurance
- Strong communication and senior stakeholder management skills
- Open to travel
- Fluent in English; Italian and/or German considered a plus
Your benefits:
- Global Mindset: Working in an international environment
- Nature meets Design: Working in the midst of greenery in a highly modern and sustainable workplace
- Perfect Start: An individual "Onboarding Program" and support from your buddy
- Childcare: An in-house daycare center and “Dr. Schär Kids Care”
- Flexibility: Life-phase-oriented work with flexible working hours and smart working
- Long Term Wellbeing: Health and pension fund and in-house fitness program
- Growth: Dr. Schär Academy with a variety of training opportunities and language programs
Are you ready to free the best in you?
The position is open to people of all genders, in accordance with the principles of equal opportunity and inclusion.
