Paralegal

About Oritain

Oritain is a worldwide leader in scientifically proving where products and raw materials come from. Using its own methodology, the company combines advanced science, technology, and specialist services to help major brands protect product integrity, satisfy regulatory requirements, and lower the risk of fraud and unethical sourcing.

With offices in Auckland, Dunedin, London, Singapore, and Washington D.C., Oritain’s vision is to become the trusted source of truth for global supply chains. Its mission is to build a community of origin-verified buyers and suppliers through science, technology, and services, supporting positive change across supply chains and helping protect people and the planet.

About the Role

This Paralegal position is a wide-ranging and hands-on role at the centre of Oritain’s Legal team. You will work closely with the Legal & Governance Counsel to run the commercial contracting process end to end, assist with supplier and NDA administration, and contribute to establishing and rolling out a new contracting framework as the business grows.

The role involves balancing several workstreams at once, including commercial agreements, supplier contracts, NDAs, and legal operations. Success in this position will depend on strong organisation, sound judgement, and the ability to take initiative in a fast-moving environment.

Commercial Contracting

• Handle contracts from first intake through to signature, including drafting, marking up changes, tracking progress, and archiving final versions.
• Assist the Legal & Governance Counsel in putting the new contract playbook into practice across commercial agreement types such as services agreements, MSAs, pilot agreements, and programme agreements.
• Help standardise contracting practices by aligning contract templates and clause positions with Oritain’s product definitions so that agreements remain consistent.
• Make sure contracting windows and timing requirements are reflected correctly across all standard terms and conditions.
• Keep the contract repository and tracker up to date, with clear visibility of key deadlines, renewals, and obligations.
• Monitor contract terms, expiry dates, and ongoing compliance, and highlight renewals, milestones, and any departures from standard positions for review.
• Prepare initial drafts and standard redlines for simpler contracts under supervision.
• Work across teams to collect approvals, signatures, and instructions in line with the escalation process.

NDA Management

• Take ownership of the NDA process from beginning to end, including drafting, reviewing, negotiating minor points, tracking execution, and keeping the NDA register current.
• Ensure NDAs stay aligned with Oritain’s standard contracting positions and escalate any non-standard points for legal review.
• Maintain a live record of NDA counterparties, effective dates, and expiry or renewal periods.

Supplier and Procurement Contracts

• Draft and review supplier, vendor, services, and consultancy agreements.
• Track supplier obligations, renewal dates, and important contract terms.
• Identify supplier provisions that may create risk or conflict with Oritain’s standard contract positions.

Legal Operations and Administration

• Manage the legal inbox by sorting, prioritising, and routing incoming queries.
• Keep legal documents organised and version controlled.
• Carry out legal research and prepare briefing notes on relevant legal and regulatory updates.
• Support the creation of precedents, templates, and standard-form legal documents.

Required Experience and Skills

Applicants should have experience in a paralegal, legal executive, or contracts-focused role, together with practical exposure to commercial contracting. Strong organisation, a high level of attention to detail, excellent written communication, and a proactive, self-starting approach are essential. Confidence working in a fast-paced scale-up environment is also important.

Desirable Background

Experience with supplier or procurement contracts would be an advantage. A law degree, GDL, LPC, or an equivalent qualification is also desirable, as is experience in supply chain, sustainability, or technology sectors.

Benefits

• Hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of 3 days each week in the Farringdon office.
• 35 days of paid leave, including public holidays.
• Birthday leave.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Healthcare Cash Plan.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Pension contribution.
• Monthly wellbeing allowance.
• Breakfast, snacks, Friday lunch, and barista coffee in the office.
• Access to a learning portal with more than 100,000 resources for professional development.

Equal Opportunity and Support

Oritain values different perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking. Applications from all candidates are welcome, and the team encourages you to bring your whole self to the process. If you need any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of hiring, let the team know.