Title:  Legal Manager SEA

We are JTI, Japan Tobacco International, and we are present in 130 countries. We have spent years innovating, creating new and better products for the consumers to choose from. This is our business. But not only. Our business is our people. Their talent. Their potential. We believe that when they are free to be themselves, and they are given the opportunity to grow, travel and develop, amazing things can happen.

That’s why our employees, from around the world, choose to be a part of JTI. It is why 80% of employees feel happy working at JTI. And why we’ve been awarded Global Top Employer status, ten years running. 

So when you’re ready to choose a career you’ll love, in a company you’ll love, feel free to #JoinTheIdea. 

Learn more: jti.com

Department: Legal
Location: Bangkok, Thailand / Ho Chi Minh City
Reporting to: Legal Director SEA 

Legal Manager - SEA

The Legal Manager SEA will provide legal support to the SEA Cluster on all matters with main focus and responsibility over the market. He/She is responsible for proactively advising the SEA Cluster Business on all legal matters affecting their business; with the aim of achieving corporate/commercial objectives in a manner that ensures compliance with the law and appropriate management of legal risk.

The objectives of this position include:

(i) addressing potential legal and regulatory issues related to products, commercial contracts, taxation, IT, employment law, economic sanctions

(ii) dispute resolution

(iii) ensuring local teams’ training on relevant legal matters, including compliance with company policies and regulations

(iv) helping the operational teams develop their commercial plans whilst minimizing risk and maximizing competitive advantage.

What will you do?

• To actively participate in the negotiation and drafting of legal documents, in particular, to ensure the business and factory are supported adequately at the operational level (including employment, IT, advertising, labelling, consumer protection, sanctions and health & safety)
• Working collaboratively with all functions across the SEA Cluster in all legal and legal related matters, providing high quality service to ensure compliance with applicable laws, management of risks and that all internal approvals are secured promptly.
• Working closely with the Compliance team to ensure compliance with anti-corruption legislation as well as all JTI Policies and Procedures and all local laws.
• Working collaboratively with the SEA Legal Director and Assistant General Counsel, APAC & Japan, to roll out training programmes, precedents, guidance notes and updates for commercial management and other employees. 
  Ensure the proper training, process or communication to be conducted with all employees.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships within the Asia region and understanding business needs and strategic plans so as to provide pro-active and valued advice as well as brief and external legal advisors on matters pertaining to protecting the SEA Cluster businesses. 
  Translate documents from local language to English language.

Who are we looking for?

• Minimum 8 years post qualification experience in FMCG or a regulated sector such as tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceuticals is a plus, with exposure to all various issues (including tax issues) that any corporation may face in a highly regulated environment, with experience in general management preferred.
  Experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating general commercial contracts. Employment, competition, sanctions and/or regulatory experience highly desirable.
• Bachelor's Degree in Law, Economics, Political Science, or equivalent 
• Fluency in Thai/Vietnamese & English (written & verbal) is preferred and able to effectively communicate legal issues to the business.
• Local knowledge of the market (any knowledge about the other SEA Cluster markets is desirable) and cultural sensitivity are required, together with a practical, competitive and solution oriented mindset. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, influential, strong teamwork qualities.
• Solid interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity are critical requirements
• Basic awareness of Intellectual Property principles (i.e., trademarks, copyright etc.). Ability to understand the tobacco business, its strategies, its people and its organizational structures.
• Awareness of legal and commercial risks and the ability to establish means for managing such risks consistent with business objectives.
• Sound judgment when balancing legal risks against the business benefits.

What are the next steps?

Thank you for applying! We will make sure to provide you feedback within the next two weeks.