Director, Employment Counsel

Our purpose at Peet’s Coffee is the pursuit of better, better coffee, for people and the planet. Our ambition is to become the chosen brand for coffee lovers around the world, and we know earning that place means an uncompromising focus on quality, craft, and authenticity.  

As part of Keurig Dr Pepper and JDE Peet’s, the world’s leading pureplay coffee company, Peet’s is growing as a global coffee brand anchored by a clear set of values that reflect who we are today and where we’re going. We Dare to Amaze, Own It, Make It Simple, and Win Together challenging ourselves every day to do better than the day before. 

We've learned that the secret to great coffee is the people who make it, and we apply the same care in selecting and preparing our teams as we do when crafting the perfect cup. 

The Director, Employment Counsel will report into the General Counsel for North America and support our North America coffee operations across the United States and Canada. The operations are comprised of approximately 10,000 employees, mostly non-exempt working in our coffee cafes, roasting plants or distribution centers and exempt employees located in Emeryville, California, Burlington, Massachusetts and Montreal, Quebec. 

Salary 
$190,000 – $230,000 

Location
Emeryville, CA – Hybrid, 4 days onsite

Key components of the role and areas of responsibility include:

Advice and Counsel

• Advise internal clients on various employment law issues such as hiring, firing, disciplinary action, investigations, employee separations, leaves of absence, accommodations requests under various disability law, and issues related to restrictive covenants and employee use and access to confidential information and trade secrets.
• Monitor legal developments in critical areas of the law, such as federal, state and local civil rights, labor relations, wage & hour, relevant protected leaves of absence and ADA accommodation and update company policies and procedures accordingly.
• Advise on various compensation matters, health and welfare plans, ERISA compliance, and 401(k) compliance, working with outside benefits counsel as needed
• Develop and deliver legal learning materials and presentations to internal stakeholders for purposes of informing and updating in key areas for compliant business operations

Labor Relations

• In coordination with outside counsel, represent the company in contract negotiations, grievances proceedings, unfair labor practice hearings, arbitrations, and mediations
• Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements through the review, draft and execution of internal company policies and practices.
• Advise management on unionization efforts, campaigns, strikes and pickets

Claims and Litigation

• Responsible for engagement of outside counsel and case management of employment claims and litigation 
• Respond to, and represent the company in governmental agency matters, such as EEOC, NLRB, OSHA and similar state and local agency charges
• Represent the company during the management of a matter at strategic phases, such as depositions and settlement conferences

This description outlines the role’s essential functions but may evolve with business needs.

What We Offer: 
We’re proud to offer a comprehensive package for full-time employees, including:

• Recharge Time – Paid vacation, holidays, and sick days.
• Health & Wellness – Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Future You – 401(k) plan with generous match program to help you save.
• Peace of Mind – Life insurance, disability, and options for HSAs and FSAs.
• Everyday Perks – Free coffee, fresh baked goods, and discounts.
• Growth & Support – Career development and an Employee Assistance Program when you need it.

The target annual base salary range for this position is $190k–$230k. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including the applicant’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education, certifications or licenses, other legitimate non-discriminatory business factors, and the geographic location of the role. In addition to base pay, individuals in this position may also be eligible to earn bonuses.

Additional Information
At Peet’s, we believe in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome qualified applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, disability, genetic information, uniform service, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local ordinances.

Peet’s is also committed to providing reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If you need assistance or accommodation, please contact employeerelations@peets.com.