Sr. Counsel, Proprietary Brands & Operations

The Legal & Corporate Affairs team is responsible for safeguarding the company’s reputation, ensuring we are operating with integrity and in line with our strategic initiatives. The Legal team provides high-quality legal services, ensures legal compliance and mitigates risks. The Corporate Communications team works to execute strategic and effective communication efforts that drive brand awareness, preference and reputation with internal and external stakeholders.

In addition, the Corporate Social Responsibility & Belonging teams support the company’s environmental and social commitments with a strong focus on pets, people and the planet. The collective team supports the overall success and positive reputation of the company.

Collaborative Work Environment:At Pet Smart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

SUMMARY

Pet Smart is seeking an experienced, business-oriented attorney to serve as the primary legal advisor supporting the Company's Proprietary Brands, Global Sourcing, Product Quality & Compliance, and Store Operations business teams.

This role provides strategic legal counsel regarding the sourcing, development, marketing, sale, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance of Pet Smart products, as well as regulatory and operational matters affecting stores. The successful candidate will partner closely with business leaders to develop practical, scalable solutions that support business objectives while appropriately managing legal and regulatory risk.

• Serve as the primary legal advisor supporting Proprietary Brands, Global Sourcing, Product Quality & Compliance, and Store Operations.
• Advise business partners on legal and regulatory issues affecting the sourcing, development, marketing, sale, quality, safety, and ongoing compliance of Pet Smart’s Proprietary Brand products throughout the product lifecycle.
• Provide legal guidance to support the development, implementation, and ongoing management of product-related compliance programs and processes, including responsible sourcing and social responsibility programs, environmental and sustainability-related product requirements (including Extended Producer Responsibility), and other regulatory compliance programs affecting the product lifecycle.
• Advise on complex or escalated matters, including product claims and substantiation, labeling, recalls, product registrations, country-of-origin and customs issues, regulatory inquiries, enforcement matters, and other significant legal or regulatory issues.
• Provide legal support relating to regulatory inspections, investigations, enforcement matters, and interactions with governmental agencies affecting supported business areas.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments and provide practical, business-oriented guidance regarding their impact on supported business functions.
• Develop and deliver policies, playbooks, training, guidance materials, and other scalable resources that enable business teams to operate efficiently and compliantly, including through the use of technology, automation, and self-service tools.
• Build trusted relationships across supported business teams and collaborate with colleagues across the Legal Department to provide practical, risk-based legal advice that advances business objectives.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from…