Legal Business Partner

Kō wai mātou? Who are we?

Zespri is more than simply the world's single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand's best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.

He aha te mahi? What's the role?

Based in Antwerp, the Legal Business Partner provides strategic, practical and commercially focused legal advice to an assigned business or regional portfolio. Partnering with leaders and teams, the role supports the delivery of Zespri’s strategy through sound decision-making, legal and regulatory compliance, ethical conduct and effective risk management.

As part of a global Legal Business Partnering team, the role delivers consistent, efficient and value-adding legal support across Zespri. By developing a deep understanding of the portfolio, the Legal Business Partner anticipates legal risks and opportunities and translates complex legal issues into clear, actionable business solutions.

Key Accountabilities

Legal Business Partnering
- Develop a strong understanding of the assigned portfolio, its strategic objectives, operating environment and links to the broader business.
- Provide timely, practical and commercially focused legal advice that enables business outcomes within legal, ethical and risk parameters.
- Identify legal and commercial considerations, communicate options and trade-offs, and support informed decision-making.
- Act as a trusted adviser to stakeholders, anticipating needs and escalating significant or complex matters when required.

Strategic Initiatives and Commercial Delivery
- Act as legal lead or advisor on strategic initiatives, projects, transactions and business change relevant to the assigned portfolio.
- Identify legal requirements and risks across current and future operating models and manage related legal workstreams.
- Advise on contracts, commercial arrangements and other legal matters, engaging specialists where necessary.
- Improve legal service delivery through standardised frameworks, tools and guidance, while building legal capability across the business.

Risk, Disputes and Compliance
- Proactively monitor emerging legal, regulatory and industry developments impacting the portfolio or business.
- Partner with stakeholders to assess and mitigate legal risks in line with strategic objectives and risk appetite.
- Support disputes, litigation, investigations and other contentious matters, balancing legal, commercial, financial and reputational considerations.
- Promote ethical conduct, effective governance, compliance and sound risk management.

Governance, Regulatory and External Relationships
- Support governance, entity management and corporate secretarial requirements in partnership with relevant teams.
- Assist engagement with regulators, government bodies and external stakeholders.
- Manage external legal advisers to ensure quality, value and effective delivery.
- Build strong relationships across Legal, Risk, Compliance and business teams.

Collective Accountability and Behaviours
- Contribute positively to the Legal and wider Risk, Assurance & Legal functions.
- Collaborate across teams and regions to deliver consistent outcomes.
- Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate integrity, professionalism and sound judgement.
- Role model company values, customer focus, high performance and constructive challenge.

Ko wai koe? Who are you?

We're looking for a team player with 7 years experience in post-qualification legal experience, and strong commercial legal expertise across areas such as corporate, commercial contracts, intellectual property, international trade, regulatory matters and dispute resolution. You will also fulfill the following:

Qualifications & Experience

• Law degree and current practising certificate (or eligibility to obtain one).
• In-house experience within a global or multinational organisation preferred, ideally in FMCG, agribusiness, the primary sector or other consumer-focused industries.
• Experience working across jurisdictions, cultures and complex stakeholder environments is advantageous.

Skills & Attributes

• Ability to analyse complex or ambiguous issues and translate them into practical business solutions.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong judgement, with confidence to provide constructive challenge while maintaining trusted relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor advice to different audiences.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and deliver high-quality outcomes within deadlines.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and delivering efficient, value-adding legal services.
• High integrity and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.

He aha e tika ai a Zespri? Why Zespri?

Our people are what makes our culture so irresistible and uniquely Zespri. We are a passionate and mighty team of 850+ employees in 23 different locations globally. Working at Zespri is an opportunity to join a fast-paced, culture-driven environment unlike any other. We want people who share our values of making it happen, creating real connections, and leaving a legacy. Join us in shaping our future and be part of a truly unique organisation.

• Competitive overall remuneration package, including a Short Term Incentive scheme opportunity.
• FlexWELL flexible work; WFH & the office.
• Additional paid annual leave day per year (Zespri Day).
• Two additional paid leave days for you to proactively support the moments that genuinely boost your mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing (Boost Days)
• Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance.
• Group Medical Insurance benefits.

Tono mai inaianei Apply Now Applications close 1 October 2026

At Zespri, we understand the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, and a fair hiring process is the first step to getting there. We want to attract a diverse range of people and encourage everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment and selection process by reaching out to our Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@zespri.com.

Agency

Zespri will not accept applications or contact from any temporary staffing agency, placement service or professional recruiter for this vacancy (“Agency”).

Where Zespri requires the support of an agency to fulfil a vacancy, we will proactively seek this support from our network of Agencies.  We respectfully ask that you do not contact Zespri or any of its affiliates/employees regarding vacancies, and reserve the right not to reply.

Zespri will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions or other payments related to such unsolicited resumes.