Senior Legal Counsel Supply Chain – Action

Our Client

In just 31 years, Action has grown from a single store in Enkhuizen, to over 2,700 stores and 13 distribution centers in 12 European counties, offering customers surprising products at remarkably low prices. As one of Europe’s fastest growing retailers, the company continues to expand with the addition of more stores across Europe in the coming years.

Currently, over 72,000 employees from diverse backgrounds (159 nationalities) and talents work for Action, guided by the central group functions based at Action’s Dutch international headquarters. They are offered a challenging, dynamic, and international workplace. The culture is driven by the same positive and no-nonsense attitude found in the stores. Energy and a get-things-done mentality are essential.

With this spirit, Action’s Legal team is deeply involved in the business, handling everything from opening stores and establishing distribution centers to managing buying, marketing, employment, social relations, and insurance.

As a retailer with millions of enthusiastic customers, Action is well aware of its impact on society and the environment. Through its comprehensive sustainability programme, Action is working  very hard behind the scenes on, amongst other things, an ambitious reduction of its carbon footprint and the improvement of product sustainability (including reduction of packaging) and circularity, and more sustainable sourcing.  Action also recognizes its responsibility within society through for example sponsoring the Johan Cruyff Foundation and supporting 2,300 children worldwide in SOS Children’s Villages, and further also invests heavily in upholding human and labour rights in its supply chain. ’More information about this all can be found here: Action Sustainability

Due to the company’s expansion, the legal team is currently recruiting a Senior Legal Counsel Supply Chain, reporting to the Head of Legal at Action’s international HQ in Zwaagdijk (close to Hoorn and a 30 minute drive from Amsterdam), the Netherlands.

The Position

As part of the IHQ legal team (currently 7 legal counsels), the Senior Legal Counsel Supply Chain is responsible for supporting Action’s supply chain organization and plays a key role in the expansion of Action’s distribution network in Europe.  You will be an active member of the team that realizes new distribution centers and other logistic facilities such as HUBs and cross-docks across Europe to facilitate Action’s rapid growth. For this you will also travel on a regular basis and work with local outside counsel where necessary.

In addition, you act as a key business partner on a wide variety of other supply chain related projects, assisting various departments within Action’s supply chain including but not limited to inbound logistics (for example sea freight) and outbound logistics (for example third party service providers and transport), all of which you would expect to go with a dynamic logistics and retail environment. You will provide legal support by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various international contracts, including acquisition, construction, and leasing agreements. Besides regular legal management, you will participate in multi-disciplinary project groups.

To be successful in this role, you will not only need great legal skills but also a business minded, pragmatic and collaborative attitude. It is important that you are truly involved in the supply chain organization and are able to provide senior management with clear guidance on a variety of supply chain related and sometimes complex matters.

The Profile

The Senior Legal Counsel Supply Chain should have extensive knowledge in general international commercial contracting, combined with:

• At master’s degree in Private Law (LLM), or equivalent, and over 8 years of relevant (international) working experience. A Dutch degree is preferred;
• Experience with logistics and/or supply chain (considered a plus);
• Excellent command of the English language, both verbal and written. A good command of the Dutch language is a plus.
• Willingness to frequently travel to European countries.
• A flexible, stress-resilient, independent, creative, and pragmatic way of working.
• Full-time availability.

The Offer

•  A competitive salary (based on 38 hrs/wk – full-time).
• Attractive short- and long-term incentive plan.
• Lease car or car allowance.
• Hybrid ways of working (office and remote).
• The IHQ in Zwaagdijk-Oost is just a 30-minute traffic free drive from Amsterdam and is reachable by public transport using the shuttle bus from Hoorn train station”.
• A good pension scheme and collective health insurance.
• Close connection to the business and interaction with senior management, including members of the executive board.
• Personal growth opportunities in a fast growing company.
• A truly international work environment with many nationalities working at the IHQ.