Head of Legal

ABOUT KINRISE

Kinrise is a growing Australian food manufacturing company with some of Australia’s most loved and innovative brands. Kinrise can be described as a ‘start-up with scale’, which strives to become a $1billion business in the next decade.

With a diverse portfolio of products, brands and categories, manufacturing plants in Victoria, NSW and Queensland, and driving $400m+ in sales, Kinrise is ambitious, thinks differently about food, and is united by shared leadership and a shared view of the future. The business is built on the foundation of five core values : We are driven, we are real, we care, we are proud, and we are different.

They have six manufacturing facilities with test kitchens and brilliant food makers across Australia and are headquartered in South Yarra, Victoria.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

This senior role is responsible for providing legal advice and support across a broad range of commercial, corporate, compliance, and employment matters.

Reporting to the General Manager, Legal & Corporate Affairs, you’ll act as a key advisor to the business, managing high-level legal issues and leading key areas such as privacy, modern slavery, employment and industrial relations, food safety, marketing and packaging approvals, and intellectual property.

You’ll also take ownership of legal governance frameworks, drive the development and delivery of legal training, and oversee internal processes such as contract management and legal clinics.

This role involves managing external legal providers and legal tech platforms, with a focus on minimising legal spend and optimising compliance systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide timely, pragmatic, and solutions-focused legal advice across commercial, corporate, compliance, and employment matters.
• Lead and manage a broad range of commercial contracts and legal risk areas, including employment, food safety, privacy, and intellectual property.
• Act as a key advisor on people, safety, and industrial relations matters, including disputes and workers’ compensation claims.
• Oversee governance and compliance programs, including legal onboarding, internal training, and risk management initiatives.

Manage external legal providers and platforms to drive efficiency and innovation in legal service delivery.

• Support internal stakeholders with day-to-day legal advice, marketing approvals, and regulatory queries.
• Act as Privacy Officer and contribute to the development and rollout of legal training and compliance frameworks.
• Monitor legislative changes and provide advice to ensure business alignment.

ABOUT YOU

You are an Australian-qualified lawyer with strong experience in corporate and commercial law, ideally gained in or advising the FMCG, manufacturing, or broader commercial sector.

To succeed in this role, you’ll be a change agent who loves to create and think big. You thrive on being empowered, having the freedom to act, and holding yourself accountable to deliver to high standards. You’re seeking something outside the box and want to be part of something unique and growing. You will have :

• A minimum of 10 years' post-qualification experience, including in-house legal leadership.
• Strong corporate, commercial, and regulatory law expertise.
• Experience in the FMCG or manufacturing sectors (highly regarded).
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including confidence working with regulators, customers, suppliers, and the executive team.
• Demonstrated success in developing governance frameworks and leading compliance initiatives.
• A collaborative and empowering leadership style, with experience mentoring legal teams and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proficiency in managing both internal and external legal counsel and service providers
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Hands-on experience designing and delivering organisation-wide compliance programs and training initiatives.

WHY JOIN KINRISE?

• Opportunity to work with well-known, proudly Australian-made brands and products
• Exciting role within a growing business with a strong heritage and bold future ambitions
• Supportive and collaborative team culture that values innovation and impact
• An inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and fosters a true sense of belonging
• Commitment to equal opportunity and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive

For more information or to have a confidential discussion, please contact Jason Elias on 0411 151 860 or email jason@eliasrecruitment.com