Senior Paralegal, Procurement

Overview

A global leader in automotive and industrial solutions is seeking a Senior Paralegal to support legal, contractual, and compliance functions primarily related to procurement initiatives across North America, with occasional involvement in global matters. This role reports to the Associate Counsel – North America and is key to ensuring efficient execution of procurement contracts and legal operations that support sourcing, services, and vendor management activities.

The position is based at the corporate headquarters in Lexington, KY, with a preference for local candidates willing to work onsite three days per week. Remote candidates will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of procurement contracts and related legal documents, including SaaS agreements, service agreements, purchase agreements, statements of work, amendments, and assignments.
• Participate in negotiation sessions with vendors and internal stakeholders, balancing legal protection with business objectives.
• Develop negotiation strategies aligned with business feedback and corporate standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as Procurement, IT, Finance, and Operations to identify and mitigate legal and contractual risks.
• Proactively raise legal concerns and provide practical solutions throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Coordinate with outside counsel as needed for dispute resolution or specialized guidance.
• Maintain and update standard contract templates and fallback provisions to reflect legal, policy, and business changes.
• Contribute to initiatives aimed at improving legal efficiency, streamlining workflows, and reducing contract cycle times.
• Support compliance with internal policies and applicable legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Monitor evolving legal standards relevant to procurement and advise on necessary updates.
• Provide legal research, drafting, and administrative support to legal team members.
• Mentor interns or less experienced staff as appropriate.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, a baccalaureate degree, or certification from recognized paralegal organizations.
• 7-10 years of experience supporting corporate legal departments or in-house attorneys.
• Experience with contract lifecycle management systems.
• Foundational knowledge of procurement, commercial, and technology contracting principles.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication skills to explain legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with contract management or legal workflow tools.
• High degree of confidentiality, professionalism, discretion, and commitment to quality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Qualification under an American Bar Association or respective country-approved curriculum.
• Certified Legal Assistant designation or successful completion of the Paralegal Advanced Competency Examination.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $78,300 - $95,000
• Health insurance plans including medical, dental, and vision
• Health Savings Account with employer contributions and matching
• Flexible spending accounts
• Competitive 401(k) plan with employer base deposit and match
• Incentive opportunities
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts
• Paid time off buy/sell options
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption assistance

Note: Benefits may vary based on position or tenure.

Location

Corporate headquarters located in Lexington, KY. Preference for candidates able to work onsite three days per week; remote work options available.

This employer is an equal opportunity organization committed to fostering an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment based on legally protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request during the recruitment process.