Legal Counsel, Global Direct Procurement

Join Reckitt’s Legal and Compliance Function

Step into the world of our Legal and Compliance Function and prepare to be challenged and stretched with a combination of impact, innovation, and excellence. Our Legal team is at the forefront of shaping the corporate landscape and redefining the boundaries of what is possible. We go beyond the traditional realms of a legal and compliance function, transforming ourselves into strategic partners who help drive business growth, mitigating risks, and championing ethical and sustainable practices. Every day, our team delivers on groundbreaking transactions and navigates complex regulatory landscapes that help our organisation make a positive societal impact. Join us, and you'll be collaborating towards shared goals, solving complex challenges, and leaving an enduring legacy.

About the role

At Reckitt, we believe that every purchase we make is an opportunity to drive positive impact on our business, our consumers, and the world around us. As a Legal Counsel within our Global Legal Procurement team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the legal strategy behind our Direct Procurement function, supporting critical categories such as Raw Materials and Packaging that power our iconic brands.

This is more than a legal role; it’s a chance to be part of a purpose-led, performance-driven FTSE 100 company that’s committed to innovation, sustainability, and excellence. You’ll be at the heart of global procurement operations, providing expert legal guidance, negotiating complex contracts, and enabling strategic supplier partnerships that align with Reckitt’s commercial and ethical standards.

You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams across multiple geographies worldwide, navigating the complexities of international contracting and regulatory frameworks. Your work will help ensure that our procurement decisions are not only legally sound but also commercially smart and socially responsible.

We’re looking for a commercially astute, pragmatic, and collaborative legal professional who thrives in a fast-paced, matrixed environment. If you’re passionate about using your legal expertise to drive business value and make a meaningful impact, Reckitt offers the platform, the people, and the purpose to help you grow.

Department: Legal
Reports to: Head of Legal, Global Direct Procurement

Your responsibilities

• Contracting & Negotiation: Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of a diverse range of complex procurement and supply agreements, ensuring legal robustness and commercial clarity across global supplier engagements.
• Legal Advisory, Strategic Support & Training:
  • Deliver clear, pragmatic legal counsel to Procurement and cross-functional stakeholders on contractual rights, obligations, and risk exposure.
  • Provide strategic legal support for high-value, cross-border procurement transactions and commercial initiatives.
  • Design and deliver annual legal training programs for Procurement and Global Legal teams, fostering legal awareness and empowering teams to navigate contractual complexities with confidence.
• Risk Management & Compliance:
  • Proactively identify and mitigate legal risks in supplier relationships, including those related to liability, indemnity, data protection, intellectual property, and ESG compliance.
  • Ensure all procurement activities adhere to applicable laws, internal governance frameworks, and Reckitt’s ethical standards, including anti-bribery, competition law, and sustainability commitments.
• Stakeholder Collaboration:
  • Partner closely with Global Procurement, Finance, Compliance, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and other business units to align legal strategy with operational goals.
  • Collaborate with Reckitt’s broader Legal & Compliance community, including experts in Data Protection, Innovation Legal, Patents, Insurance, and Brand Protection, to deliver integrated legal solutions.
• Policy & Process Development: Contribute to the evolution of procurement policies, contract templates, and legal best practices that enhance consistency, efficiency, and risk management across the organization.
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation: Support the resolution of supplier disputes and claims, including pre-litigation strategy, mediation, and settlement negotiations, with a focus on protecting Reckitt’s interests while preserving commercial relationships.

The experience we're looking for

• Qualified lawyer with a UK Law degree (or similar common law) and admission as a solicitor in the UK or a similar common law jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 6-10 years of post-qualification experience in an international environment, preferably in a corporate legal department or law firm.
• Proven experience in drafting and negotiating procurement, supply and commercial agreements.
• Fluency in English (oral and written); additional languages are an advantage.
• Strong computer literacy, including experience with contract management systems and legal tech tools.

The skills for success

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Detail-oriented, analytical, and capable of seeing the bigger picture with a risk-based mindset.
• Self-motivated, confident, and able to work independently within a matrix structure.
• Commercially minded with integrity and pragmatism.
• A collaborative team player with ambition to grow and contribute to leadership.

What we offer

• We invest in the wellbeing of our people through parental benefits, an Employee Assistance Program to promote mental health, and life insurance for all employees globally.
• We have a range of other benefits in line with the local market.
• Through our global share plans we offer the opportunity to save and share in Reckitt's potential future successes.
• For eligible roles, we also offer short-term incentives to recognise, appreciate and reward your work for delivering outstanding results.
• You will be rewarded in line with Reckitt's pay for performance philosophy.