Legal Counsel

About the Role

Select Milk Producers is seeking a Legal Counsel to support a broad range of legal matters across commercial contracting, regulatory compliance, and general corporate operations within a multi-site, manufacturing and supply chain environment.

This role will partner closely with the General Counsel and cross-functional leaders to provide practical, business-focused legal support that enables execution while managing risk. The position offers meaningful exposure to complex operational, regulatory, and commercial matters, with the opportunity to grow into increased responsibility over time.

The ideal candidate is a strong legal executor with sound commercial judgment, a hands‑on approach, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Commercial Contracting

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including vendor, procurement, logistics, and customer contracts supporting SMP’s operations
• Develop and maintain contract templates and playbooks, identifying and escalating non-standard or higher-risk provisions
• Support contract lifecycle management, including renewals, amendments, and risk tracking

Corporate & Operational Legal Support

• Support corporate governance and subsidiary management across SMP’s multi‑entity structure
• Provide day‑to‑day legal guidance to internal stakeholders across operations, supply chain, logistics, quality, and finance
• Partner with business leaders on operational and strategic initiatives, ensuring legal considerations are addressed early and pragmatically

Regulatory & Compliance

• Provide legal support on regulatory matters impacting SMP’s dairy, food production, and related operations
• Assist with compliance initiatives related to food safety, labeling, transportation, and operational regulations
• Monitor regulatory developments and support implementation of compliance practices across plants and corporate functions

Risk Management & Outside Counsel Coordination

• Identify legal risks in commercial and operational activities and elevate as appropriate
• Support management of outside counsel, including coordination, research, and matter tracking
• Assist with dispute resolution, claims management, and issue mitigation

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with operations, sales, finance, quality, and HR teams to support business objectives
• Communicate legal guidance clearly and practically to non‑legal stakeholders
• Contribute to process improvements and increased efficiency within SMP’s legal function

Direct Supervisory Responsibilities

There are currently no direct reports into this position.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Active license and good standing with a U.S. state bar (Texas preferred).

Experience

• 4–8 years of legal experience (law firm and/or in‑house)
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Core Competencies

• Client‑focused with strong partnership orientation
• Results‑oriented with focus on practical outcomes
• Sound judgment and appropriate risk escalation
• High integrity and alignment with SMP’s values
• Strong drafting, issue‑spotting, and analytical skills
• Practical, business‑minded approach to legal advice
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Collaborative, professional, and service‑oriented mindset

Preferred

• In‑house experience or exposure to manufacturing, agriculture, dairy, food & beverage, or regulated industries
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks applicable to food production and supply chain operations
• Interest in developing broader corporate governance and operational legal expertise

Work Environment

• Primarily office‑based with occasional travel to operating sites as needed.
• Periodic extended hours may be required.

About Select

Select Milk is one of the nation’s largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives with likeminded producers that have earned a reputation for innovation in animal welfare, environmental sustainability, technology, and overall industry best practices. Established in 1994, Select Milk markets and processes milk from member dairies in the Southwest and the upper Mid‑West. Headquartered in Dallas, the company has over 110 family‑owned dairies, thirty‑two wholly owned subsidiaries, and eight joint ventures with other major food/beverage producers.