Commercial Legal Counsel

Date: 12 Jun 2026

Location: Cheshire, GB, CH65 4HB

Company: essaroiluk

Commercial Legal Counsel

Location: Stanlow Manufacturing Complex, Ellesmere Port

Employment Type: Site Based Full Time Role 5 days per week Monday-Friday

  • Competitive salary
  • 10% company contribution pension
  • 25 days holiday, increasing with service
  • Private medical insurance
  • Additional flex benefits, including holiday purchase
  • Access to Employee Assistance Programme with Exclusive access to a range of Discounts
  • Free Secure On-Site Car Parking

 

About the Company

EET Retail, a dedicated retail division of EET Fuels, focused on supplying fuel to and operating an expanding network of Essar-branded service stations across the UK.  We are part of Essar Energy Transition supporting energy transition in the UK covering refining, infrastructure, hydrogen and power generation. See https://essarenergytransition.com/our-portfolio-eet-retail/ for more info.

 

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced Commercial Legal Counsel (6–10 PQE) to join our Retail legal team, supporting a fast-scaling, consumer-facing business at the intersection of energy, FMCG, and convenience retail.

Our forecourts are evolving into modern, multi-service retail hubs, combining fuel, food, leading consumer brands, and everyday services — delivering fuel, convenience and community, all in one stop. This role offers genuine ownership and visibility, with responsibility for shaping legal frameworks that directly impact customer experience, brand partnerships, and commercial growth.

Key Responsibilities

Senior Business Partnering

  • Act as a key legal advisor to senior stakeholders across Retail business covering Marketing, BD, Operations, and Digital
  • Provide strategic, commercially focused input on business initiatives, expansion, and customer propositions
  • Operate with a high degree of autonomy

Commercial Contracting Leadership

  • Lead negotiation and management of complex agreements including supply, distribution, procurement and partnership contracts
  • Negotiating Fuel Supply Agreements for dealer owned and dealer operated (DODO) sites
  • Support brand, concession, and FMCG partnerships
  • Drive best practice contracting and efficiency improvements

Marketing, Promotions & Consumer Law

  • Advise on advertising, campaigns, promotions and pricing strategies
  • Ensure compliance with consumer law, advertising standards, and trading regulations
  • Support promotional campaigns and T&Cs

Retail Operations & Customer Experience

  • Provide legal support across multi-service retail environments
  • Advise on consumer-facing terms, complaints, and customer journey risks

Brand, IP & Partnerships

  • Support brand protection, licensing, and partnerships
  • Advise on loyalty card schemes
  • product launches and services

Network Growth & Property

  • Work with in-house dedicated Senior Property Counsel in supporting network expansion through Company Leased and Company Owned sites and any issues arising from ongoing sites

Governance & Risk

  • Maintain compliance frameworks and governance standards
  • Provide advice on competition, consumer law, and data/privacy
  • Mentor junior colleagues and build legal awareness
About You
  • Qualified Solicitor (E&W)
  • 6–10 years’ PQE
  • Experience in FMCG, retail, or consumer sectors (in a petrol forecourt business would be desirable but not essential)
  • Strong commercial contracting and consumer law experience
  • Confident stakeholder manager with a commercial mindset

Apply now if you are a commercially driven lawyer looking to step into a strategic, business-facing role.

Application Process
 

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK.


This vacancy will be advertised for a minimum period of two weeks and will remain open to applications until an offer has been made and accepted. Therefore, the vacancy may close at any time after 26/06/2026, and we encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible.