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Sr. Paralegal - Contract Management

Company Overview

Wherever you work and whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name you know that you are a valued teammate who is part of our larger mission to Serve Society with Superior Quality. We start by offering each teammate more than just a salary. We provide formal training, competitive performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build your future. We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole selves to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you are made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need. Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Position Summary

The Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) Law Department’s Corporate Services group is seeking a contract management specialist to support BSAM’s corporate functions, with a focus on commercial contracts. The Corporate Services Group provides transactional legal services and legal/business advice and strategy to all of the functional units of BSAM, including Procurement, IT, Manufacturing, Finance, Treasury, Tax, Credit, Shared Services, Human Resources, Marketing, Communications, and Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Responsibilities

  • Work closely with a talented and collaborative team of legal professionals, with the oversight of an experienced attorney.
  • Hone the skills necessary to draft, review and negotiate a variety of commercial contracts, including nondisclosure agreements, purchase agreements, services agreements, etc.
  • Work as a strategic business partner to client groups, helping to identify creative solutions to assist them in meeting their goals;
  • Contribute to strategic initiatives and projects within BSAM’s Law Department;
  • Be empowered to establish processes to efficiently handle day-to-day agreements and tasks.
  • Serving as a first point of contact for select client groups, helping to resolve and/or escalate legal issues to an attorney as needed.
  • Preparing and negotiating standard company agreements, including nondisclosure agreements, staffing services agreements, purchase terms and conditions; maintenance agreements, professional services agreements, etc.
  • With the oversight of an attorney as needed, drafting, reviewing and negotiating a variety of non-standardized vendor-facing contracts.
  • Interpreting contract terms and conditions, and advising client as to contract obligations, remedies and options.
  • Evaluating the needs and goals of clients with respect to a variety of issues, helping to identify risks, balancing clients’ needs and goals against risk, and devising a business-practical, creative solution for achieving clients’ goals while minimizing risk.
  • Independently handling and keeping track of a large and fluctuating number of matters/projects. Must have experience handling projects on a time sensitive basis.

Competencies and Characteristics:

The Corporate Services Group interacts with almost every department and functional group of BSAM and, therefore, we believe that “how” we accomplish our work is as important as “what” we accomplish. Accordingly, the ideal candidate will exhibit the following competencies and characteristics:

  • Humility, patience and diplomacy: Excellent interpersonal skills, commitment to client service, and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including teammates and business team members across the company as well as with outside vendors and consultants.
  • An ability to deal confidently with internal clients at all organizational levels, as well as external parties.
  • Basic understanding of the vendor contracting process, including knowledge of key contract terms and their implications and proficiency at redlining contracts.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong negotiation skills.
  • An appropriate balance of independence and collaboration: the ability to work independently but recognizing the need to consult others and escalate issues when appropriate.
  • A resourceful self-starter: an ability to quickly learn new areas and develop new skills in an independent manner; willingness to figure things out, an eagerness to learn about BSAM.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task on a large number of complex issues; the ability to effectively manage client expectations and prioritize demands.
  • Sound legal and business judgment.
  • Creative problem solving: the ability to tailor strategies and contract terms to meet the needs of the clients and to address the risks at issue; a desire to be flexible and creative in addressing issues.
  • Team player: exhibiting trust in members of the team, communicating and working well with members of the team, sharing in responsibilities of the team, an innate sense of responsibility to those on the team, and commitment to the overall success of the group and BSAM.
  • Business acumen and the ability to measure legal risk, balance risks with business needs, and apply practical legal solutions.
  • Typically requires a minimum of 5 working years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD without experience; or equivalent work experience.
  • Paralegal certificate or equivalent preferred
  • At least five years of experience as a paralegal or contract management specialist in a law firm or in-house setting preferred

Our job descriptions reflect the skills, qualifications and experiences we have identified as ideal for this role. However, we recognize that a candidate who meets some of the characteristics listed here and is eager to learn can succeed in this position. If you have some of these key experiences and qualifications and are willing to learn, we encourage you to apply.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (“DE&I”)

Bridgestone Americas promotes a culture of diversity and inclusion through a variety of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which bring teammates and allies together based on shared characteristics, life experiences and interests. You can find information on our ERGs athttps://www.bebridgestone.com/en_us/working-at-bridgestone/employee-resource-groups. Our most recent DE&I Annual Report can be found at https://www.bridgestoneamericas.com/en/corporate-social-responsibility/our-commitments/dei.

The Bridgestone Americas CLO Group (which is comprised of the Law Department, Government and Regulatory Affairs, and Corporate Security) has several diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that complement the company-wide DE&I efforts. Currently, the CLO Group members participate in three DE&I-related committees focused on recruiting, internship programs, and inclusion. Additionally, the Law Department achieved Mansfield Certification in 2023, is a member of Diversity Lab’s Diversity Dividend initiative, and is a member of the National Association of Women and Minority Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF)’s Inclusion Initiative Program.

Ethics & Compliance

Each member of the CLO Group plays a key role in operationalizing the global and regional ethics and compliance program. This will include, among other things, engaging leadership in the client groups you support; identifying and managing risks facing your client groups (including third party risks); ensuring policies, standards and controls are effective and in place; conducting trainings and finding other ways to ensure your client groups understand what they are expected and required to do; and conducting investigations relating to your client groups.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.

Our Benefits

Bridgestone Americas believes that taking care of you means more than just a prescription or dental plan. Our benefit plans are designed to meet our teammates' emotional, financial and physical needs, helping them thrive at work.

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Physical Health

At Bridgestone, we care about your physical health. That’s why we offer competitive benefits to ensure our teammates have access to quality and equitable healthcare.

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Emotional Well-being

We recognize that emotional well-being is just as important as physical health. That's why we offer a supportive work environment and resources to help our teammates manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

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Financial Well-being

Bridgestone helps you invest in your future by investing in you. We provide resources and benefits to support your financial health, including retirement plans, financial planning resources and tuition reimbursement, among others.

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Bridgestone Application & Interview FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about our application and interview process to help you prepare.

Before you apply for one of the available opportunities at Bridgestone, review each of the skills needed for the role that interests you and be prepared to show how you meet the qualifications.

Whether on a job application or your resume, it is essential to customize your information to highlight the most relevant connections to the job you want.

Once you have provided your information to Bridgestone, you will receive a request for an interview if you are being considered.

In the Bridgestone hiring process, depending on the role you are being considered for, you may have a one-on-one interview or a panel interview, and both can happen in person or via video call. If you are applying for a manufacturing or retail role, you will probably interview in person or at the location where you plan to work. All these factors can change how you might prepare for and conduct an interview, so we have created a guide that covers virtual or video interview tips and in-person interview tips. We have also included other common information you should consider.

Prepare Your “Elevator Speech”
In most interviews, you will get the prompt to “tell us about yourself” or something of that nature. It’s best to prepare a short but compelling description of yourself. Consider including:
Brief summary of your career, potentially highlighting your most relevant job.
Why are you looking to start a career at Bridgestone, or are you looking to change careers/jobs?
What was interesting about this particular role or working at Bridgestone?

Be Ready to Answer Questions
During an interview, you will be asked questions about previous experience to learn more about you. Whether you are asked about strengths or weaknesses or about a particular work situation that you might have considered a challenge or a win, it helps if you structure your answers with the STAR Method.
Situation: Describe the challenge you faced, win you had, or relevant situation
Task: Explain the role you played
Action: What were the detailed steps you took or how you accomplished the task
Result: Explain the outcome
Make sure that it is relevant to the role you are seeking. This method also helps you demonstrate how you accomplished something or overcame a challenge independently or while working well with a team.

Be Ready to Ask Questions
It is also important to ask questions to help you make an informed decision about the role if an offer is extended to you. Remember that you are interviewing Bridgestone as much as we are interviewing you, so asking interview questions is critical.
Some questions you can ask:
What would my day-to-day role look like?
Describe the team I would be working with.
What is your favorite thing about working at Bridgestone?
You mentioned (insert topic here). Tell me more about that.

By asking open-ended questions that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no,” you can learn more about the role and the people you would be working with. And by circling back on information shared during the interview, you show that you are actively listening and interested.

Plan Your Route
If you are interviewing in person, map out the route you will take before the day of your interview to make sure you allow enough time for travel. Be mindful of traffic patterns and look for any construction in the area. Aim to be about 15 minutes early for your interview so you can find a place to park and take some time to prepare mentally.
If you have an unexpected schedule conflict, notify your recruiter via phone/email/text so they can work to reschedule your time.

Dress to Impress
Dress appropriately for the role you want. Different work environments may be more casual, but you always want to look your best for an interview. Consider this for a video interview as well. Most of us have better posture and body language when we look and feel our best. While no one may know you are wearing pajamas, your casual demeanor may not make a great first impression. Make sure you are free of as many distractions as possible. With many of us having to work from home while taking care of our families, we understand that quiet space can be challenging to find for you as well as for the interviewers. While we encourage you to find an area where you can focus and not be interrupted, we understand that life happens and might just happen during your interview, so don’t stress too much about it.

What to Bring
Even if you have provided a resume, always bring one additional copy for each person interviewing you. And for any interview, it’s always good to bring a pen and paper if you want to take notes. Stay engaged in the conversation; no one wants to see the top of your head while you write notes for the entire interview.

There may be a chance one or more of your interviews will be conducted virtually. Here are our tips to prepare;

Check Your Tech
Confirm what platform you will use and make sure that you have it properly installed and launched on your system.
If you use a device like a tablet or a laptop, ensure it is fully charged. Try not to use a phone if possible.
Confirm that your webcam and microphone are allowed and work correctly in your chosen browser.
Test your internet connection to ensure it is strong and working.
If using headphones, make sure they are connected and selected prior.
At the beginning of the interview, verify that the interviewer can hear and see you.
Close other programs on your computer. Getting notifications during your interview is distracting and unprofessional. Before your interview, ensure all other computer windows are closed, and notifications are silenced or turned off.
Switch your other devices onto silent mode; however, have your phone handy if your interviewer is having technical difficulties or trying to reach out via phone or email.
If you need any accessibility accommodations or are concerned about the required virtual platform not being fully accessible for you, please let the recruiter at Bridgestone know. We will reach out to discuss how to best support you.

Prepare Your Space
Conduct your interview in a quiet, well-lit environment, without a backlight or window that may put you in a shadow.
Find a place with a simple backdrop or blank wall to eliminate distractions and put the focus on you.
Avoid taking an interview from your vehicle. If it is the only quiet place you can find, DO NOT attempt to interview while driving or in a moving vehicle; our recruiters will end the call. After all, at Bridgestone, we make safety a business value.

Smile for the Camera
Look at the camera. Looking directly at the video camera (not the screen) is the only way to maintain direct eye contact with your interviewer.
Try to focus on sitting up straight and making eye contact. At the beginning of the interview, verify that the interviewer can hear and see you.
Be mindful of your body language. Not all physical cues translate from in-person interviews to video interviews. Be sure to have good posture and stay engaged.
Silence any other technology, i.e. smart watches; you don’t want to be distracted or appear disinterested during your interview."

When the interview ends, whether virtual or in person, you can ask what to expect as the next step in the process. The person conducting the interview can let you know if there are additional interviews to expect or if you will hear from HR with a decision as to whether you have been chosen for the role.

We ask that you be patient as we may have several candidates to interview, but we value your time and will offer the professional courtesy of a response either way. Also, if you are no longer interested in the role or have accepted another role, please notify your recruiter so they can remove you from the interview process.

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As a member of our Talent Community, you will receive access to news, events and career opportunities at Bridgestone. Sign up now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us.

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