Junior Legal Counsel Procurement

Location: Hemel Hempstead, England, gb Department: Legal and Compliance Employment Type: {'id': 'permanent', 'label': 'Full-time'}

Company Description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,500 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

Join Smiths Detection's Global Legal Team

This is an exciting opportunity for a junior legal professional looking to accelerate their career in a dynamic, global in-house legal environment.

Working directly with the Senior Global Procurement Counsel, you will gain hands-on exposure to a broad range of legal matters across procurement, commercial contracts, data protection, facilities and property-related matters. Unlike traditional law firm roles, this position offers significant responsibility from day one, allowing you to develop practical commercial legal experience while supporting a global business during a major transformation programme.

We're seeking an enthusiastic, proactive individual who enjoys problem-solving, takes initiative, and is keen to develop their legal career within a collaborative and fast-paced international organisation.

What You'll Be Doing

As Junior Legal Counsel Procurement, you'll provide legal and commercial support to the Procurement function and wider business, helping manage a diverse portfolio of contracts and legal matters.

Key responsibilities include

Reviewing, drafting and negotiating procurement and supplier contracts.

Supporting procurement teams, category managers and internal stakeholders on contractual matters.

Reviewing and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements, including:

Supplier agreements

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)

Lease and facilities-related contracts

IT and technology contracts

Assisting with legal research across multiple jurisdictions.

Preparing legal correspondence and contractual documentation.

Supporting data protection and compliance-related activities where required.

Providing practical and commercially focused legal guidance to stakeholders.

Managing contract workflows and supporting legal projects linked to Smiths Detection's ongoing business transformation activities.

The Type of Person Who Will Thrive Here

Takes ownership and shows initiative.

Enjoys researching and solving unfamiliar legal issues.

Is confident working with limited direction when required.

Has a positive, "can-do" attitude.

Is organised and capable of managing multiple priorities.

Wants to learn and gain broad commercial legal experience.

Enjoys working closely with colleagues across different functions and countries.

Why Join Us?

Broad exposure across procurement, commercial contracts, data protection and legal operations.

Hands-on experience that often exceeds what is available in traditional trainee legal roles.

Opportunity to work closely with experienced in-house counsel and global stakeholders.

A supportive and collaborative legal team.

Hybrid working arrangement.

Potential for longer-term opportunities within the wider legal function for exceptional performers.

If you're an ambitious legal professional looking to build your in-house career and gain meaningful, practical legal experience within a global organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

Qualifications

Essential

Law Degree (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification.

Commercial contract drafting and negotiation experience.

Strong legal research and analytical skills.

Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities.

Full professional fluency in English (written and spoken).

Desirable

Experience gained within a law firm and/or an in-house legal team.

Experience reviewing commercial, procurement or supplier contracts.

Paralegal, Legal Executive (CILEX), Trainee Solicitor or Junior Solicitor background.

Exposure to technology, procurement, facilities or property-related legal matters.

Knowledge of data protection legislation and GDPR.

German language skills.

Additional Information

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

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