Associate General Counsel for Bacardi USA

Assistant General Counsel
Bacardi USA
Miami, FL
Job I.D. 2008006


About Bacardi U.S.A.;

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc., a United States distributor and marketer of premium beverage alcohol products, is a subsidiary of Bacardi Limited, the largest privately owned spirits company in the world, and a leader in the global spirits business.

We boast a brand portfolio of some of the most recognized and top selling spirits in the world. Bacardi U.S.A. is best known for BACARDI rum, which has been the number-one selling spirit in the United States for more than 25 years. In addition to BACARDI rum, the Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. portfolio includes: GREY GOOSE vodka, the world’s favorite super premium vodka; DEWAR’S Scotch, the top selling blended Scotch in the U.S.; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, the top super premium gin in the U.S; .MARTINI & ROSSI vermouth, the favorite vermouth in the world; CAZADORES blue agave tequila, the top selling 100% blue agave tequila in the world and other notable brands and labels.

Position Overview

We are actively seeking a seasoned Corporate Attorney to serve as Assistant General Counsel to our company’s unique needs. Our target candidate will have a minimum of 10 years experience as a practicing attorney, and with a mix of in-house and law firm experience. We have a strong preference for a legal advisor with experience in the beverage alcohol industry, or other heavily regulated consumer products.

The Assistant General Counsel will serve as legal advisor to the North American (Senior) General Counsel and Senior management on various corporate matters, with a special emphasis on beverage alcohol, commercial, transactional, litigation, environmental, antitrust, and employment matters. Assistant General Counsel participates with and advises internal clients at all levels of the organization and assumes substantial responsibility for managing outside counsel and other professionals.

This position services and benefits Bacardi U.S.A., Inc., its North America Region affiliates, including Bacardi Corporation in Puerto Rico, and other related companies, including certain global affiliates as well as its ultimate Bermuda-based parent company, Bacardi Limited.

The Assistant General Counsel must be accessible, responsive, thorough, analytical, and creative in providing legal options and recommendations to management and the North American General Counsel and must possess sufficient business acumen in order package legal advice in a proper business context. These functions achieve the organization’s objectives by managing legal risks and thereby avoiding or minimizing the Company’s legal exposure while advancing the Company’s business objectives.

In addition to assisting in the management of the overall legal affairs of Bacardi USA, subsidiaries in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas, and other subsidiaries within the region, duties will also include:

• Negotiate, draft, review, and monitor full spectrum of commercial transactions involving the North America Region affiliates. Representative transactions include distribution, license, supply, advertising/promotional, consulting, transportation, information technology, confidentiality, finance, and commercial lease agreements.
• Manage litigation and pre-litigation claims. Direct and participate in dispute resolution and other litigation risk management activities. Participate in budgeting, forecasting, and controlling outside legal costs associated with litigation, assist with financial auditors’ inquiries regarding legal matters, and direct/manage outside counsel activities.
• Manage environmental, health and safety related legal issues involving the Company’s distillery in Puerto Rico. Ensure compliance with EPA’s and local Environmental Quality Board’s laws, permits, and regulations.
• Assisting with or managing special North American legal projects such as employment matters, internal investigations, company policies, Pension Plan issues, insurance coverage issues, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

1. JD Degree, with strong academic credentials. Admission to a State Bar, in good standing.
2. At least 10-15 years experience as a practicing attorney with a reputable law firm and/or corporate law department. Preferred experience with beverage alcohol, environmental, contract drafting, managing litigation, and providing legal advice on general corporate matters.
3. Substantial legal knowledge regarding general principles of law, including contract, UCC, litigation, licensing, anti-trust, environmental, beverage alcohol, and employment legal issues.
4. Ability to package legal advice within proper business context. Superior written and oral communication skills, analytical skills, attention to detail, and time management skills.
5. Fluency in verbal and written Spanish language is strongly desired.

Benefits
We offer competitive base pay, a generous bonus program, and truly outstanding benefits. Benefits include:

• 100% company paid health and dental insurance premiums for employees AND their eligible dependents (eligible to enroll from date of hire, no payroll deductions!)
• 100% company paid life insurance (up to 3x annual salary)
• 401k, company matched
• 100% company paid pension/retirement program
• L/T, S/T disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• flexible spending account
• complimentary meals served at our lunchroom facilities
• executive dining room
• annual product allowance


If you meet our qualifications and would like to explore becoming part of the Bacardi U.S.A. family, please apply online or email a copy of your resume to careers@bacardi.com , and include the job code 2008006 in your subject line.



Catherine Roman
Corporate Recruiter
Bacardi USA
2100 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL. 33137
croman@bacardi.com
www.bacardilimited.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/catroman