Contract Counsel I

JOB DESCRIPTION

ABOUT US

At Sherwin-Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent and passion make it possible to live this purpose, and for customers and our business to achieve great results. Sherwin-Williams is a place that takes its stability, growth and momentum and translates it to possibility for our people. Our people are behind the strength of our success, and we invest and support you in:

Life … with rewards, benefits and the flexibility to enhance your health and well-being
Career … with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and grow your contribution
Connection … with an inclusive team and commitment to our own and broader communities
It's all here for you... let's Create Your Possible

At Sherwin-Williams, part of our mission is to help our employees and their families live healthier, save smarter and feel better. This starts with a wide range of world-class benefits designed for you. From retirement to health care, from total well-being to your daily commute—it matters to us. A general description of benefits offered can be found at http://www.myswbenefits.com/. Click on “Candidates” to view benefit offerings that you may be eligible for if you are hired as a Sherwin-Williams employee.

Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and will impact where actual compensation may fall within the stated wage range. The wage range listed for this role takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws including with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act where applicable.

Sherwin-Williams is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law or by contract.

As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Sherwin-Williams requests state and local employment services delivery systems to provide priority referral of Protected Veterans.

Please be aware, Sherwin-Williams recruiting team members will never request a candidate to provide a payment, ask for financial information, or sensitive personal information like national identification numbers, date of birth, or bank account numbers during the application process.

RESPONSIBILITIES

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

(1) Provides legal support to general contracting activity related to the infrastructure, operational and other activities of the business. Such legal support will include, but not be limited to, commercial and construction/contractor related agreements for Paint Stores Group’s National Accounts and Floor Covering divisions, and other general transactional commercial activity, as needed.

(a) Support to PSG National Accounts will include:

• Develop a working knowledge of the workflows, contract software systems, and relevant contract templates to provide timely responses to approved contract requests for National Account customers.
• Support the National Accounts team in the drafting and negotiation of various commercial agreements and documents including but not limited to sales and supply agreements, amendments, and renewals.
• Provide guidance and training to National Accounts team members regarding contract templates and clauses.
• Assist in development and/or updating of standardized contract templates and clauses and identifying opportunities for process improvements and efficiencies.
• Conduct regular reviews of laws, regulations, and administrative rulings as required.
• Meeting productivity goals and deadlines while maintaining the quality of the legal support related to the drafting and negotiation of contract documents.
• Effectively communicating problems or issues involving various degrees of risk and liability to Company management, including an assessment as to future potential risk.
• Obtaining document approvals from various levels of Company management.

(b) Support on PSG Floor Covering will include:

• Collaborate with and assist the PSG Floor Covering sales and related business units on the review, drafting, and negotiation of sales related agreements, documents, and correspondence relative to sales efforts in floor covering.
• Providing legal counsel on the employment and management of independent contractors and installers.
• Provide guidance and training to PSG Floor Covering team and related business units regarding the interpretation and meaning of contract clauses
• Conduct regular reviews of laws, regulations and administrative rulings and assist in updating any policies, manuals, handbooks, etc. to ensure that the Paint Stores Group’s Flooring team is in compliance with all federal, state and local laws.

(c) Support to other general transactional commercial activity may include:

• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of company systems, tools, processes, and procedures relevant to the different Sherwin-Williams’ business units, especially the divisions in the Paint Stores Group.
• Assist Sherwin-Williams’ business units and other attorneys within the Legal department in all other commercial drafting as may be required in the ordinary course of business.
• Interacting with the business to understand and endeavor to implement its commercial objectives while protecting the Company in relationships that are governed by contracts.
• Becoming proficient with systems, processes and workflows attendant to contracting activity to drive efficiency and quality of legal support.
• Developing positive relationships and systems to drive efficient and effective outcomes related to legal support to contracting activity.

(2) Effectively handles assigned legal activities for business units, functions or legal practice areas.

• Supports projects and teams - Supports or leads projects and teams providing legal support and solutions to the company's business units or corporate departments.
• Provides advice - Provides focused and practical legal advice respecting business operations as well as the impact of current or anticipated laws, rules and regulations.
• Substantiates positions - Researches, develops and coordinates implementation of legal solutions.
• Mitigates risk - Identifies and analyzes existing and emerging legal risks. Develops and implements business-focused strategies to manage risks.
• Compliance - Assists the development and implementation of policies, procedures and control mechanisms to promote compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
• Proactive guidance - Stays abreast of new regulations and emerging legal risks; provides proactive advice and counsel to business units and corporate functions that may be impacted.

(3) Demonstrates the development of legal expertise and support for legal affairs of business units or enterprise-wide functions.

• Develops understanding of the operational model by which the supported business unit or enterprise-wide function operates
• Supports clients on a cost-effective basis
• Manages outside counsel in an efficient and cost-effective manner, as necessary

(4) Primary Business Partner Engagement.

• Engages, communicates with and advises mid-management and operational business level of such clients
• Develops basic understanding of how legal support affects objectives, risks and returns of business clients

(5) Performs other duties as assigned.

This role will report to Sherwin-Williams Global Headquarters located at 1 Sherwin Way, Cleveland, OH 44113.

“Job duties include contact with other employees and access confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s staff, employees, and business relationships.”

QUALIFICATIONS

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Required:

• Juris Doctor
• License to practice law required (applicable jurisdiction)
• Understanding of general business concepts and activities.
• Strong knowledge of legal concepts related business contracts.
• Strong communication and writing skills, in particular related to formal document drafting.
• PC skills; Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); and other applications as required;
• General working knowledge of legal software
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without needing sponsorship for employment work visa status now or in the future

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a business-related field
• 1-5 years of experience reviewing, drafting, negotiating and managing commercial contracts.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: (TIME SPENT AWAY FROM HOME OR OTHER TYPICAL OFFICE LOCATION)

• 10%