(Senior) Manager Governance and Legal Operations (m/f/d)

HAVI is a global, privately owned company specializing in integrated supply chain management for the food industry. Founded in 1974, we make connections that matter—linking ideas with data, supply with demand, and brands with the people who love them.

We provide end-to-end solutions for retailers, quick-service restaurants (QSR), full-service restaurants (FSR) and other foodservice businesses. Our core services include:

• Freight management
• Distribution and warehousing
• Planning and analytics
• Waste and recycling

With around 7,000 employees across more than 30 markets, HAVI supports over 200 customers in Europe, Asia and North America, serving more than 16,000 delivery points. By combining deep operational knowledge with digital insights, we help global brands, regional businesses and local operators manage their supply chains safely, sustainably and efficiently. For more information, please visit HAVI.com.

We are hiring a (Senior) Manager Governance and Legal Operations (m/f/d) for our office in Duisburg

The role is responsible for establishing and continuously enhancing HAVI’s global governance framework, ensuring effective policies, controls and processes are in place that balance regulatory and compliance requirements with business needs and support operational excellence and business growth. By leveraging technology, automation and AI, the position will drive standardization, efficiency and organizational accountability across the business.

What You’ll Do

• Establish and continuously improve HAVI’s global governance framework and policy ecosystem.
• Monitor regulatory developments, assess risks and advise senior leadership on governance matters.
• Lead cross-functional governance initiatives and drive global standards and policy adoption.
• Manage the policy lifecycle and ensure compliance with legal and business requirements.
• Embed compliance-by-design principles into business processes and systems.
• Develop governance controls, frameworks and improvement initiatives.
• Utilize technology, analytics, AI and automation to enhance governance and efficiency.
• Manage policy exceptions, waivers and local deviations.
• Support business transformations and strategic initiatives from a governance perspective.
• Deliver governance training, awareness programs and stakeholder guidance.
• Act as trusted advisor and governance subject matter expert.
• Contribute to efficiency improvements within the Legal & Compliance function while not holding an individual budget.

Your Requirements

• Degree in Law, Business Law, Compliance or a related discipline; legal qualification (e.g. Volljurist/in or Wirtschaftsjurist/in) preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in compliance, risk management or legal, ideally with a governance focus.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
• Ability to translate legal, regulatory and business requirements into practical solutions.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder and change management skills.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 and technology-driven governance and compliance solutions.
• Interest in AI, automation and data-driven compliance approaches.
• Ability to work effectively in a global, multicultural matrix organization.
• Fluent German and English are essential for this position. As the role involves regular communication with German-speaking stakeholders, candidates must be able to work professionally in both languages.

What we offer

• Fair and competitive compensation, including a 13th salary and annual bonus payment.
• 40-hour working week with flexible working hours based on trust and personal responsibility.
• Hybrid working with the option to work from home in alignment with your manager and the requirements of the role.
• Permanent employment contract offering long-term stability and security.

We value diversity and equal opportunities and welcome applications from people with disabilities.