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Company Overview

Come grow with us! We are One Rayonier , a team that works together to create value by prioritizing safety, challenging the status quo, giving back to our communities, and driving innovation through continuous learning. With nearly 100 years of experience, we’re still discovering new ways to make lives better with our trees, our land, and — our most important resource — our people .

At Rayonier, we strive to create an employee experience where you feel valued and proud to be part of our team. We foster a respectful, inclusive and collaborative environment that celebrates your unique talents and perspectives. Experience the Rayonier difference: We’re big enough to offer exciting career paths, but small enough for you to know your colleagues by name. Come join a team that empowers you to make a difference!

The Business Unit Lead Counsel, Manufacturing Operations , will report to the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, and will provide advice and counsel to the wood products manufacturing business unit, which consists of six lumber mills and one industrial-grade plywood mill. Manufacturing sites are located in Idaho, Minnesota, Michigan, and Arkansas, and this position will be based in Atlanta, Georgia. This role is responsible for providing strategic legal advice on daily operational matters, managing a diverse portfolio of commercial contracts, and advising on compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations, among other responsibilities. This position will balance the need to protect the company from legal exposure with the practical necessity of maintaining efficient production.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Executive Vice President, Wood Products, to develop and refine policies and procedures for the manufacturing business unit to accomplish the unit’s strategic objectives, while promoting legal compliance, risk management, and operational efficiency.
• Provide day-to-day legal counsel to manufacturing, procurement, and commercial teams on operational, contractual, and compliance issues relating to the manufacturing business.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of operational agreements, including procurement contracts, services agreements, NDAs, large equipment purchase and installation agreements, and equipment leases.
• Collaborate with the company’s environmental, health, and safety (EHS) subject matter experts to assess incident response, compliance programs, and regulatory engagement.
• Advise or work with outside counsel on federal, state, and local environmental laws as they relate to the manufacturing business (e.g., Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and state equivalents).
• Collaborate with environmental experts in the manufacturing division on the environmental permitting processes and represent the company, where appr opriate, in dealings with regulatory agencies.
• Lead legal responses to environmental audits and potential notices of violation.
• Provide timely legal counsel to mill managers on EHS matters, compliance with applicable laws, contract requirements, company policies, and site-specific operational issues.
• Assist and advise the General Counsel with investigation and management of labor and employment matters involving the manufacturing business, including investigations, litigation, and administrative proceedings.
• Work with the Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, and the company’s environmental resource teams, to ensure timely and accurate collection of greenhouse gas emissions data, and otherwise assist with environmental and corporate responsibility reporting relating to the manufacturing business.
• Manage dispute resolution with vendors and customers; resolve UCC and other subcontractor liens; and manage contractual indemnification obligations. .
• Assist in addressing compliance concerns raised in conjunction with audits or investigations relating to the company’s certifications with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) and Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), to the extent applicable to the manufacturing business.
• Counsel and train management and personnel on compliance with applicable laws and advise same as to the effects of coming changes in law that may affect the manufacturing business (e.g., EUDR, antitrust and competition law).
• Manage outside counsel and other legal consultants (and their budgets). Manage litigation and alternative dispute resolution relating to: existing wood products operations, legacy pulp and paper operations, water rights, and workers’ compensation matters.
• Conduct or assist with investigations of reports submitted to the ethics hotline.
• Comply with, support, and advise on internal controls and assist with evaluation of business risks, contingent liabilities, and disclosures in support of the company’s public company compliance and reporting obligations.
• Contribute to the company’s Corporate Responsibility reports, disclosures, and published articles, including greenhouse gas (GHG) disclosures and reports on progress toward GHG emissions reduction goals.
• Other duties as assigned by the EVP, General Counsel & amp; Corporate Secretary

Required Qualifications

• B.A. or B.S. undergraduate degree, with a preferred background in a STEM-related field such as Engineering, Chemistry or Biology, and J.D. degree from a respected law school with indicia of academic achievement, and admission to the bar of at least one state.
• At least 12 years of law firm or in-house legal experience, preferably within a regulated or industrial sector.
• Strong generalist orientation with demonstrated experience in one or more of the following: commercial transactions, litigation oversight, labor and employment counseling, compliance, and/or environmental/regulatory law.
• Ability to manage outside counsel and work collaboratively with business teams.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, detail oriented, ability to prioritize work and multitask in a dynamic work environment, meet deadlines, be an excellent communicator (both verbal and written), and be capable of working independently with little direct supervision.
• Experience managing or coordinating internal investigations or regulatory inquiries.
• Strong work ethic, show initiative (i.e., a self-starter), be a team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality within a strictly confidential environment.
• Strong Microsoft Word experience, familiar with Microsoft Excel, and ready, willing and able to learn new or unfamiliar technology resources (e.g., Google Gemini, Legal Tracker and Contract Management Software).
• Must be willing to work in the Atlanta, Georgia office, at least 3 days per week.
• Occasional domestic travel by air and vehicle to manufacturing facilities in rural locations required. Ability to work extended hours and work weeks, as the job demands from time to time.