International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce, and pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues globally. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion. In Russia, we have a 50/50 joint venture, Ilim Group, the country's largest integrated manufacturer of pulp and paper. Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com.

 

Purpose:

Provide support and guidance to in-house attorneys in the area of procurement transactions.  Position is responsible for matter management, including proactively identifying appropriate action on legal issues; drafting, preparing, and reviewing documents, including procurement templates, agreements and amendments; investigating, participating in development of matter strategy; and responding to other various legal matters.  Position acts as a primary liaison between legal and internal procurement clients.

 

Key Accountabilities:

•    Participate in the development of matter strategy with sole responsibility for proactively managing substantive areas that do not require legal advice

•    Draft and review legal documents, including contracts and other procurement agreements/documents

•    Manage all procurement matters assigned to attorney and paralegal—Prioritize matter assignments with little or no direction from supervising attorney

•    Understand and interpret the difference between what is requested and what is needed, and what may already exist to serve those needs

• Prepare training materials

•    Independent judgment and decision making in areas that do not require legal advice

•    Coordinate procurement agreements/strategy with internal clients and counsel

•    Act as primary legal contact for internal clients on procurement matters

 

Key Challenges:

1. The external environment, including technology, competition, markets:
   1. Changes in law and procurement pressures
   2. Changes in technology supporting the process of obtaining,  reviewing and processing procurement documents
   3. Growing need to monitor costs

 

2. The internal environment, including interaction with others, (both inside and outside the company) policies/practices:
   1. Working with different levels of employees within the organization and externally with outside vendors and courts/agencies
   2. Interpersonal Savvy
   3. Dealing with confidential information

 

3. The work itself, e.g., problems, opportunities, change:
   1.  Learning the company hierarchy
   2. Adapting to new technology tools
   3. Prioritizing workload and projects
   4. Little or no direction or supervision in areas that do not require legal advice

    

Scope:

This position provides support to attorneys by managing the legal matters assigned, including proactively identifying appropriate action on legal issues; drafting, preparing, and reviewing procurement contracts and other documents; understanding and interpreting the difference between what internal stakeholders ask for and what they actually need, and what procurement arrangement may already exist to serve those needs; investigating, participating in development of matter strategy; and acting as a liaison between the Legal Department and internal clients. This position may also have the opportunity to take a leadership role on departmental projects and must have the ability to manage multiple projects at one time. Finally, the successful candidate will also participate in strategy discussions. This position is bonus eligible.

 

Knowledge and Experience:

1. Minimum Qualifications:
   1. Bachelor degree in Paralegal Studies or other
   2. 10+ years legal experience in a paralegal position
   3. Expert in specialized area preferred
2. Key Competencies:
   1. Excellent communication and organizational skills
   2. Interpersonal Savvy
   3. Learning on the Fly
   4. Customer Focus
   5. Functional and Technical skills
   6. Problem Solving/Action Oriented
   7. Decision Making
   8. Judgment
   9. Demonstrated ability to work independently
   10. Capable of handling multiple responsibilities
   11. Attention to detail
   12. Ability to anticipate and execute on needed tasks
   13.  
3. Preferred Competencies:
   1. Experience with management, review, and negotiation of Information Technology Contracts, including Software License Agreements, SaaS Agreements, and Professional Services Agreements
   2. Experience with Technology
   3. Experience with Open Source Licenses
   4. Experience with Data Privacy and Information Security
   5. Understanding of enterprise risk associated with IT vendor engagements

 

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Memphis  TN  38197