Overview

Head of Legal – Yeo Valley

Yeo Valley Production is a purposeful, co-owned business. We are committed to Nurture & Nourish People & Planet by Making Great Food the Right Way. Forever. This newly created role forms part of our Senior Leadership team and is responsible for shaping our purpose-led legal approach. You will be the main point of contact for a broad range of legal issues for the Production business, balancing commerciality, risk and pragmatism to negotiate agreements and resolve disputes.

You will manage our approach to regulatory compliance and horizon scanning, and adapt our approach as required. This includes partnering with busy Commercial teams on supplier and customer agreements, as well as more general contract work.

Responsibilities

• Legal strategy: Create a compelling vision and approach for legal support across Yeo Valley, covering a wide range of legal matters.
• Legal advice: Provide purpose-led legal guidance on contracts, corporate, regulatory compliance, litigation, data management, intellectual property and corporate governance.
• Contract management: Draft, review and negotiate contracts, including supply agreements, licensing, standard terms and conditions, service contracts and NDAs.
• Dispute resolution: Handle disputes and litigation relating to procurement, governance and other commercial matters.
• Governance and compliance: Support the company secretarial function with corporate governance, compliance and board activities as required.
• Training and development: Provide tools and training sessions on legal and compliance issues, including templates and guidance.
• Risk management: Identify and mitigate legal risks.
• External partners: Work with outside counsel when required, ensuring value for money.
• Stakeholder engagement: Collaborate with senior stakeholders across procurement, sales, operations and the broader Yeo Valley Family of Businesses.

What we’re looking for

We’re seeking a technically strong, values-driven, ambitious and commercially sharp lawyer who can work at pace with high-level stakeholders, balancing risk with practicality and delivering clear, pragmatic solutions. This is an opportunity to shape Yeo Valley’s first in-house legal function and to build capabilities from the ground up as the sole in-house solicitor with external support when required.

If you’re looking for a role that combines principled legal work with tangible impact within a growing, values-driven business, this is the opportunity.

Qualifications and experience

• Qualified solicitor, ideally with 4–10 years’ PQE
• Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment and/or FMCG preferred, particularly in-house experience
• Strong background in commercial and corporate law, procurement and governance
• Proven ability to balance commerciality, risk and pragmatism with excellent negotiation and communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills, with the ability to assess risk and support pragmatic decision-making
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks while collaborating with diverse teams
• Willingness to learn about new areas of law as business needs evolve

Location & flexibility

Hybrid working available with 2–3 days per week at our HQ in Blagdon, Somerset. Open to part-time working (3–4 days per week).