Associate General Counsel

About RYAM

RYAM is a global leader of cellulose-based technologies, including high purity cellulose specialties, a natural polymer commonly found in filters, food, pharmaceuticals and other industrial applications. The Company also manufactures products for paper and packaging markets. With manufacturing operations in the U.S., Canada and France, RYAM employs approximately 2,500 people and generates approximately $1.4 billion of revenues. More information is available at ​https://ryamglobal.com

RYAM’s intellectual property and manufacturing processes have been developed over 90 years, resulting in unique properties and very high quality and consistency. RYAM is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 50 exporters and delivers products to 79 ports around the world, serving customers in 20 countries across five continents.

At RYAM, we’re shaping the future of talent.

RYAM has a specific purpose…to be the world’s leading manufacturer of renewable products, including paper, packaging, and high purity cellulose.  We want smart, innovative people who can find new ways to solve challenging problems.  We need talented professionals across multiple disciplines who want to contribute to the company’s mission and advance its vision, while also shaping its future.

How you’ll shape the future of the Legal team:

• Commercial & Operational Support
  • Negotiate and draft a broad array of commercial agreements, including procurement, sales, logistics, NDAs, and services.
  • Provide day-to-day legal counsel to manufacturing, procurement, and commercial teams on operational, contractual, and compliance issues.
  • Navigate legal questions related to specialty materials, technical specifications, warranties, and supply chain continuity.

• Compliance, Safety & Sustainability
  • Support the company’s global compliance program, including training, policy development, and oversight in areas such as anti-corruption (FCPA), sanctions and export controls (OFAC, EAR), antitrust and competition law, and data privacy (GDPR, U.S. regimes)
  • Collaborate with stakeholders in environmental, health, and safety (EHS) to assess incident response, compliance programs, and regulatory engagement.
  • Contribute to legal input for ESG, climate, and supply chain compliance initiatives, including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

• Disputes, Investigations & Risk Response
  • Serve as a key legal partner in internal investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, and incident response—especially involving health, safety, or environmental matters.
  • Provide leadership in managing litigation and pre-litigation disputes, coordinating closely with internal stakeholders and outside counsel.
  • Assist with third-party claims, subpoenas, contract disputes, and formal responses to governmental inquiries.
  • Support the General Counsel on enterprise risk strategy and crisis response as needed.

• Employment & Workforce Advisory
  • Advise on U.S. and global employment matters, including performance management, terminations, accommodations, wage and hour issues, and workplace investigations.
  • Draft and review employment-related agreements such as severance and confidentiality agreements.

• Corporate & Strategic Transactions
  • Support M&A, joint ventures, and financing transactions, including diligence, negotiation, and integration of legal obligations.
  • Assist in public company functions (as needed), including subsidiary governance, Board support, and review of SEC filings and disclosures.

You’ll be someone who can bring:

• Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school with strong academic credentials.
• 8–12 years of legal experience, ideally including both law firm training and in-house experience within a regulated or industrial sector.
• Strong generalist orientation with demonstrated experience in multiple of the following: commercial transactions, litigation oversight, compliance, employment, or environmental/regulatory law.
• Comfort managing matters independently while collaborating across business functions.
• Experience managing or coordinating internal investigations or regulatory inquiries is a plus.
• Familiarity with public company operations, SEC reporting, or ESG frameworks is advantageous.

• Professional Characteristics

• Business-first mindset, with the ability to translate legal comp