Legal Counsel - #1097483

About The Company

We have partnered with one of the leading retail groups in Singapore with a strong presence across multiple store formats islandwide. With a portfolio of well-established brands, the business continues to grow and adapt, serving diverse customer segments though its network of over 50 outlets.

Job Summary

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor and strategic legal partner across the organisation, with a primary focus on supporting the dynamic legal needs of a fast-paced retail supermarket business. This role involves delivering practical legal advice and risk mitigation strategies across a wide spectrum of areas, including commercial contracts, real estate, regulatory compliance, employment, consumer protection, marketing, intellectual property, and dispute resolution. The ideal candidate is a proactive, business-minded professional with good commercial acumen and the ability to balance legal integrity with operational goals.

This role is based in Tampines.  

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and conduct risk assessments on matters that may carry legal, regulatory, reputational, financial, or operational implications, ensuring the company’s interests are well protected.

• Draft, review, and manage a wide range of commercial agreements including supplier/vendor contracts, service agreements, logistics arrangements, IT licenses, and tenancy/lease agreements.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., procurement, category management) to ensure contracts mitigate commercial risk while protecting business interests.

• Support business development initiatives with legal insights and risk analysis.

• Monitor and ensure compliance with all relevant local laws and regulations in the retail sector, including but not limited to the Sale of Goods Act, Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, Competition Act, Food Safety Regulations, and the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).

• Develop and implement compliance frameworks, policies, and SOPs in collaboration with business units to support legally sound and ethical operations.

• Provide legal oversight on store leasing matters, including new site acquisitions, tenancy renewals, renovations, and lease terminations.

• Manage disputes and legal issues relating to property and tenancy.

• Advise quality assurance and commercial teams on consumer rights, food safety, labelling, product recalls, promotional mechanics, advertising claims, and customer complaints.

• Review marketing materials and promotional terms to ensure legal compliance, particularly with advertising and consumer protection laws.

• Provide legal support to HR on employment matters, including drafting employment contracts, advising on investigations, disciplinary actions, MOM queries, employee disputes, retrenchment exercises, and workplace safety.

• Identify and mitigate legal risks across all areas of operations while balancing legal safeguards with business needs.

• Manage and resolve disputes, liaising with external counsel on complex claims and litigation.

• Assist in crisis management efforts involving reputational, regulatory, or operational risks.

• Support compliance with data privacy regulations (e.g., PDPA) and assist the DPO in data protection enforcement.

• Provide legal guidance on ESG initiatives such as responsible sourcing, sustainability disclosures, and ethical practices.

• Support internal audits and respond to regulatory inspections as necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a recognized university.

• Admission to the Singapore Bar or an equivalent common law jurisdiction.

• Minimum 5 years of post-qualification experience, ideally in in-house legal roles.

• Prior experience in the retail, FMCG, or supermarket industry is highly preferred.

• Good knowledge of Singapore contract law, employment law, privacy/data protection, tenancy law, and retail-related regulatory frameworks.

• Excellent contract drafting, negotiation, and legal analytical skills.

• High standards of integrity, sound judgment, and strong commercial awareness.

• Great interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and manage external stakeholders.

• Proven ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.