LEGAL MANAGER (01)

JOB DESCRIPTION

GI EXPERTISE, a human resources consulting firm specializing in recruitment, temporary staffing, and HR outsourcing, with a presence in West Africa, particularly in Guinea, Togo, and Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), is recruiting on behalf of one of its clients.

As part of its activities, GI EXPERTISE, in partnership with a company operating in the retail and mass distribution sector, is recruiting a Legal Manager to strengthen its team:

Legal Manager (1) – M/F

Main Responsibilities

Reporting to the General Management, the Legal Manager is responsible for ensuring the legal security of the company’s operations, anticipating and managing legal risks, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and providing operational legal advice to Management and the various departments.

The position covers, in particular, relationships with suppliers and business partners, commercial contracts, store leases, relations with public authorities, labor law matters, disputes, and consumer protection issue.

Main Duties

1. Legal Advisory to Management and Teams

• Advise General Management on all legal matters relating to the company’s activities.
• Provide legal support to the Procurement, Commercial, Finance, Human Resources, Logistics, Marketing, IT, and Operations departments.
• Identify legal risks associated with business decisions and activities and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Participate in ensuring the legal security of the company’s development projects.
• Conduct ongoing legal and regulatory monitoring of legislation applicable to the retail and mass distribution sector.

2. Commercial Contract Management

• Draft, review, negotiate, and approve the company’s contracts.
• Ensure the legal monitoring of contracts entered into with suppliers, service providers, business partners, and distributors.
• Review general terms and conditions of purchase and sale.
• Secure listing agreements, commercial agreements, service contracts, and distribution agreements.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and identify clauses that may expose the company to legal risks.
• Establish and maintain a system for monitoring contracts, deadlines, renewals, and contractual obligations.

3. Relations with Suppliers and Business Partners

• Provide legal support to the Procurement Department during negotiations with suppliers.
• Ensure the legal security of commercial commitments entered into with partners.
• Assist the company in the event of disagreements or breaches of contractual obligations.
• Participate in the amicable resolution of disputes with suppliers and business partners.

4. Legal Management of Stores and Points of Sale

• Ensure the legal monitoring of commercial leases and rental agreements for stores, warehouses, and offices.
• Participate in negotiations with property owners and landlords.
• Monitor the renewal, termination, and revision of lease agreements.
• Ensure the legal compliance of new locations and the opening of new points of sale.
• Support operational teams in managing legal issues arising in stores.

5. Litigation and Dispute Management

• Prevent litigation risks and recommend solutions that prioritize amicable settlements whenever possible.
• Monitor pre-litigation and litigation matters.
• Coordinate relationships with external law firms, bailiffs, notaries, and other legal advisors.
• Prepare the necessary files and documents for legal proceedings.
• Establish a litigation tracking system and provide regular reports to General Management.
• Assess the financial and legal risks associated with disputes.

6. Consumer Law and Commercial Compliance

• Ensure compliance with regulations relating to consumer protection.
• Support Commercial and Marketing teams in securing promotional activities, competitions, advertising campaigns, and loyalty programs.
• Review the compliance of terms and conditions of sale and other documents intended for customers.
• Advise teams on requirements relating to consumer information, pricing, labeling, and advertising.
• Contribute to the implementation of internal procedures aimed at reducing compliance risks.

7. Employment and Labor Law

In collaboration with the Human Resources Department:

• Provide legal advice on employment and labor relations matters.
• Participate in ensuring the legal compliance of employment contracts and HR documentation.
• Advise Management on disciplinary procedures and other labor law matters.
• Monitor developments in employment and labor legislation.
• Contribute to the prevention and management of labor disputes.

8. Compliance and Risk Management

• Identify and assess the main legal risks associated with the company’s activities.
• Participate in the development and updating of internal policies and procedures.
• Establish legal compliance monitoring and control tools.
• Raise employees’ awareness of key legal and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to promoting a culture of compliance and ethics within the company.
• Alert General Management to any significant legal risk.

9. Relations with Public Authorities and Regulatory Bodies

• In coordination with the relevant departments, monitor relations with government administrations and competent authorities.
• Participate in the management of administrative and regulatory inspections.
• Prepare responses to requests, notices, or notifications from public authorities.
• Ensure the follow-up of the company’s legal and administrative formalities.

10. Legal Governance

• Participate in the preparation and monitoring of legal documents relating to corporate governance.
• Ensure the proper retention and filing of important legal documents.
• Ensure that the company’s corporate and legal documents are kept up to date.
• Prepare legal opinions, reports, and recommendations for General Management.

Candidate Profile

Education

• Master’s degree (Bac+5 equivalent) in Law, ideally specializing in:
• Business Law;
• Commercial Law;
• Corporate Law;
• Contract Law;
• Or any equivalent legal qualification.
• Additional training in compliance, risk management, distribution law, or management would be an advantage.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in a legal position.
• Experience in a company, law firm, or the retail/mass distribution sector is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in commercial contract management, leases, litigation, and supplier relations will be particularly appreciated.

Technical Skills

The successful candidate should have strong knowledge and skills in:

• Business and Commercial Law;
• Contract Law;
• Corporate Law;
• Consumer Protection Law;
• Employment and Labor Law;
• Litigation management;
• Contract negotiation;
• Legal risk management and prevention;
• Legal and regulatory monitoring;
• Drafting and reviewing legal documents.

Proficiency in standard office software, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is required.

Personal Qualities

We are looking for a professional who is:

• Rigorous and well-organized;
• Ethical, trustworthy, and discreet;
• Equipped with excellent analytical and synthesis skills;
• Pragmatic and solution-oriented;
• Able to work effectively with stakeholders at different levels of the organization;
• A strong negotiator;
• Autonomous while being an effective team player;
• Able to manage multiple matters simultaneously and meet demanding deadlines;
• An excellent communicator with strong advisory skills.

Key Performance Indicators

The Legal Manager will be assessed based on:

• The level of legal security of the company’s contracts;
• Monitoring and management of legal risks;
• Compliance with legal matter processing deadlines;
• Reduction and management of litigation risks;
• Effective monitoring of contracts and legal deadlines;
• The company’s level of legal and regulatory compliance;
• The quality of legal advice provided to operational teams;
• The quality and timeliness of legal reporting to General Management.

Position Details

Language:

• Fluency in French is required.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter through:

Website: www.gi-expertise.com

Email: recrutement@gi-expertise.com

Subject: Application – Legal Manager

Application deadline: September 7, 2026

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.