Corporate Counsel I - Regulatory

We are seeking a Corporate Counsel I to join our Regulatory Affairs team, where you will be instrumental in guiding our business through complex regulatory landscapes. In this role, you will manage risk and provide practical advice on food and food-contact regulatory compliance, nonfood product testing, and key reporting obligations.

You will navigate the detailed requirements of packaging regulations, alcohol-beverage laws, and intellectual property rights, helping us stay compliant in the retail industry’s ever-evolving environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a solid understanding of relevant state, local and federal laws and regulations and possess extensive experience working with key state and federal agencies, as well as Congressional committees. A key component of this role will include using legal research tools to track new regulatory requirements and analyze their impact on our operations. You will work closely with various departments within the business to ensure that all practices align with current regulations and prepare for upcoming changes. Your ability to effectively communicate legal concepts and develop compliance strategies will be essential in supporting a culture of compliance throughout the organization. If you have a strong background in regulatory affairs and are ready to contribute to a fast-paced, impactful environment, we invite you to explore this opportunity with us.

Position Type: Full-Time
Starting Salary: $127,500
Salary Increases: Year 2 - $135,000 | Year 3 - $142,500
Work Location: Naperville, IL
This role is eligible to participate in ALDI’s Legal Hybrid Work Program, which allows remote work up for all but 2 days per month (i.e., work in-office at least 2 days per month).

Duties and Responsibilities: 
Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Communicates effectively and informs direct leader of issues, status, and results of assigned tasks.
• Researches, analyzes, and keeps current on legal issues and laws, regulations, pending legislation and court decisions affecting the relevant area(s) of law.
• Communicates unique legal issues impacting the organization by identifying applicable statutes, regulations, judicial actions and codes.
• Conduct regulatory risk assessments and provide guidance on strategies and requirements.
• Prepare and submit regulatory documentation, including product registrations, compliance reports, and review submissions to regulatory agencies.
• Works proactively and reliably under tight timeframes at the direction of the direct leader and/or independently.
• Assists as a liaison for various areas of National Services; works strategically to provide guidance to internal team members and relevant areas of the business.
• Advises business on new legal requirements and supports implementation of communications, processes, audits and internal systems to minimize risks and potential liability.
• Assists in identifying best practices in relation to legal and compliance processes and programs.
• Ensures compliance with legal documentation, processes, systems and Company policies.
• Partners and liaises with outside counsel on legal matters and manages relevant external consultants.
• Forms collaborative relationships with leaders and various areas of the business to execute strategies and efforts to support the growth/strategic objectives of the Company.
• Assists with preparation and analysis of data to identify legal exposures and risks.
• Drafts memorandums of law, attorney correspondence, reports, and other pleadings.
• Assists on special projects, as requested.
• Recommends process improvements for area of responsibility.
• Works strategically to provide guidance to various ALDI departments and divisions on relevant matters. 
• Evaluates and analyzes relevant current events and legal cases then reports findings to direct leader; researches unique legal issues impacting the organization by identifying applicable statutes, judicial decisions, and codes; responds to legal inquiries from multiple areas of the business where appropriate. 
• Identifies proactive, cost-effective solutions that will eliminate and/or mitigate legal and business risks. 
• Manages multiple projects and initiatives with various deadlines. 
• Ensures effective implementation and communication of Legal programs, providing visibility of key milestones and progress. 
• Assists in designing, implementing, and driving process improvements and infrastructure solutions to enhance the department’s ability to assist the Company and function efficiently.
• Collaborates with team members and communicates relevant information to leadership.
• Upholds the security and confidentiality of documents and data within area of responsibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job-specific Competencies: 
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Consistently demonstrates the Mindsets, ALDI Acts Competencies and Professional Skills (M.A.P.) as outlined for the role.
• Gives attention to detail and follows instruction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective time management; maximizes productivity.
• Prepares written materials to meet purpose and audience.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and external parties.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including creativity and ability to communicate information accurately and proficiently, while being concise and understandable to non-lawyers.
• Demonstrated success as a hard-working, high-integrity, well-organized and self-motivated team member who can manage and prioritize requests and oversee and improve complex business and legal processes.  
• Knowledge of how legal issues affect organizations and the ability to develop strategies to coordinate legal considerations to business objectives.
• Ability to anticipate legal risks as well as utilize excellent judgment and analytical skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply company policies and procedures.
• Ability to apply creative solutions. 
• Knowledge of retail industry brick and mortar and ecommerce standards and practices preferred. 

Education and Experience:

• J.D. from an ABA accredited law school required. 
• Bachelor's Degree required.
• A minimum of 1 year of progressive experience in a business environment required. 
• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in a business environment preferred, ideally in compliance and regulatory affairs. 
• Experience in a law firm, government agency, corporate legal department and/or in-house legal counsel preferred.
• Licensed to practice in Illinois (or immediate ability to become licensed) required.
• Overall broad knowledge of compliance, regulatory law and affairs, ideally in retail food and beverage industry required. 
• Experience tracking new legislation and pending bills using legal research tools.
• Familiarity with SAP, Manhattan, Workfront or similar systems for tracking product transactions and supplier information.
• Or, a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge. 

Physical Requirements:

• Work may be performed in an office, remote office or a combination of both where a computer and office equipment may be used as needed to perform duties.
• Regularly required to sit, reach, grasp, stand and move from one area to another.
• Constantly and repeatedly use keyboard/mouse.
• Occasionally required to push, pull, bend, lift and move up to 25 lbs.

Travel:

• Domestic travel required.
• Up to 10%.

ALDI offers competitive wages and benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan
• Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• PerkSpot National Discount Program

In addition, eligible employees are offered:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Generous Vacation Time & 7 Paid Holidays
• Up to 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave at 100% of pay
• Up to 2 Weeks Paid Caregiver Leave at 100% of pay
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life, Dependent Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance

ALDI is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. As a proud Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), or any other protected characteristic. Employment may be contingent upon ALDI's receipt of an acceptable and job-related drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.