Legal Manager & Business Partner for Purchasing EMEA
The Company
Imerys is the world's leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.4 billion in revenue and 12,300 employees in 40 countries in 2025. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods. Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers' products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts.
Imerys is listed on Euronext Paris (France) with the ticker symbol NK.PA.
The Position
Legal Manager & Business Partner for Purchasing EMEA
Job Summary
The Legal Manager - Purchasing EMEA is a senior position within the Europe - Middle East - Africa (EMEA) Regional Business Legal Function, a highly engaged and collaborative team of 20 legal professionals and assistants spread across 5 countries.
The Legal Manager - Purchasing EMEA will oversee and manage all legal aspects related to the centralised purchasing activities (so-called \"Category Purchases\") of the Imerys Group across the EMEA region and headquarters-led worldwide purchases. S/he will manage 2 legal counsel both based in Paris and have functional oversight of 2 additional Business Legal counsel whose scope includes strategic purchasing activities.
Reporting to the General Counsel EMEA, this role acts as a strategic Business Partner. The objective is to lead and continuously develop the purchasing legal function as a unified, data-driven strategic partnership that scales alongside business needs.
Key responsibilities include:
- People Management and Team Leadership Lead, mentor, and develop a team of legal professionals Ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly allocated, oversee workload distribution and track adequacy of resources to needs, manage the performance and professional development of the team, including through regular meetings and feedback sessions. Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture within the legal team, encouraging proactivity and self-leadership as well as knowledge-sharing, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Legal Support for Purchasing Contracts Provide senior-level legal advice on a wide range of purchasing agreements, specifically covering raw materials, transportation services, energy, mining services and heavy mobile equipment (HME), indirect purchases and IT, CAPEX, industrial equipment and services (IES), chemicals, and packaging. Ensure strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including anti-bribery regulations, competition laws, and import/export restrictions. Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of robust contracts related to the purchasing of goods and services. While leading the function, maintain a hands-on approach by personally contributing to and drafting key strategic or complex agreements Lead the development, maintenance, and continuous optimization of standard templates, clause books and playbooks to ensure efficiency and risk mitigation across the EMEA region.
- Compliance and Regulatory Monitoring With the Compliance team, design and implement the role of the legal team with respect to Responsible Purchasing initiatives. Oversee the implementation and adherence to corporate compliance policies, including anti-corruption policies. Monitor legal developments in the EMEA region that are relevant to Purchasing matters.
- Dispute Resolution and Risk Management Manage and resolve disputes with suppliers, including mediation, arbitration, and litigation when necessary. Mitigate risks related to contract performance, payment terms, and the delivery of goods and services. Work proactively with internal and external stakeholders to prevent legal disputes and mitigate legal exposure. Provide legal training and guidance to Purchasing teams on managing contractual obligations and risks.
- Collaboration and reporting Actively participate in Monthly Purchasing Management Team Meetings, regular 1-on-1s with the Purchasing VP, and other key leadership meetings to ensure full visibility into the Purchasing function's roadmap. You will contribute directly to strategic discussions and project kick-offs, proactively anticipating legal needs and aligning high-level priorities with overarching business objectives. Provide General Counsel EMEA with regular reports on legal risks, compliance issues, and team performance related to Purchasing; adhere to Legal Department and Group reporting processes. Collaborate with the other EMEA Business Legal Teams to ensure a good level of cross-teams information; provide expert support on local purchases re