Legal Manager (Agriculture) – Bomet at Summit Recruitment and Search

The role requires a strategic business partner who will support the company’s growth and expansion by providing practical, solutions-oriented legal advice. The successful candidate will facilitate business growth by enabling confident decision-making while managing legal and regulatory risk. You will ensure strong compliance and governance frameworks while identifying opportunities for operational and commercial optimization. The role involves supporting the business as it navigates the agricultural and manufacturing landscape with agility and foresight. The Legal Manager will balance the protection of the company’s assets with the need to move quickly and competitively in the market.

Key Responsibilities.

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts (supply chain, export, vendor, and sales agreements) with a focus on speed of execution and commercial value.
• Manage intellectual property and trade issues (domestic and export).
• Serve as the Certified Company Secretary to the Board, ensuring efficient administration of Board and Committee meetings.
• Ensure full compliance with the Companies Act and other statutory requirements.
• Identify legal risks and propose mitigation strategies that allow the business to proceed.
• Manage litigation by instructing external counsel effectively, keeping an eye on cost-efficiency and settlement opportunities that benefit the business.
• Oversee compliance with statutory bodies and environmental regulations inherent to the agribusiness.
• Manage land and property matters, including leases and community relations, ensuring the security of the company’s estates.

Key Qualifications.

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized university.
• Certified Public Secretary (CPS-K) and a Post-graduate Diploma in Law (KSL).
• Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya is mandatory.
• Minimum of 8+ years of post-qualification experience, ideally in a corporate/in-house environment.
• Proven experience acting as a Company Secretary for a reputable board.
• EPZ or SEZ experience is an added advantage.
• Ability to understand how legal decisions impact the bottom line.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where quick decision-making is required.
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts in simple business language to non-lawyers.
• Strong skills in closing deals favourable to the company.