Full-Time

Associate General Counsel

Legal, Litigation

Posted on 8/4/2025

Challenge Manufacturing

Challenge Manufacturing

1,001-5,000 employees

High-speed automotive stamping, welding, and assembly

No salary listed

Grand Rapids, MI, USA

In Person

Category
Legal & Compliance (1)
Requirements
  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
  • Admitted to practice law in Michigan, with a clean disciplinary record.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in litigation, preferably within the automotive industry or a related sector. Proven track record of managing commercial litigation cases.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Ability to develop strategic solutions.
  • In-depth understanding of legal principles related to automotive manufacturing, contract law, and regulatory compliance.
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to balance legal risks and business objectives.
  • Strong leadership skills and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.
  • Detail-oriented and proactive in identifying and addressing potential legal issues.
  • Strong interpersonal skills facilitating close cooperation with both management, engineering, automation and manufacturing teams.
  • Strong written and oral communication with the ability to communicate efficiently with all levels of management, co-workers, and subordinates.
  • Strong conflict resolution skills.
  • Strong sense of/treatment of confidentiality and Ethical Practices; demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of work and is thorough, accurate, and reliable when performing and completing job tasks.
  • Works with sense of urgency to meet needs of fellow team members.
  • Willingness to travel as needed.
Responsibilities
  • Oversee and manage all aspects of litigation involving the company, including employment litigation, developing case strategies, coordinating with external counsel, and ensuring effective case management.
  • Provide legal advice and guidance to senior management and business units on a variety of issues, including risk assessment, contract disputes, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property matters.
  • Develop and implement legal strategies to mitigate risks and resolve disputes efficiently. Collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment with the company’s objectives and legal requirements.
  • Monitor and analyze legal trends and developments that may impact the company. Develop and implement compliance programs and risk management strategies.
  • Review, draft, and negotiate contracts and agreements to protect the company’s interests. Ensure that contracts comply with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Provide input and support on Learning and Development programs to ensure the company has adequate support on legal issues, including litigation and compliance matters.
  • Building and following through on department goals and budgets.
  • Keep team informed on all relevant information; responsible for managing all HR aspects of their team including their professional development and annual performance reviews and participation in recruitment.
  • Collaborate with executive leadership to define the organization’s long-term mission and goals; identify ways to support this mission through talent management.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience in workers compensation and employment liability preferred.
  • Experience working with automotive regulatory bodies and industry standards preferred.
  • Previous experience in an in-house legal role or with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 automotive supplier preferred.
Challenge Manufacturing

Challenge Manufacturing

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Challenge Manufacturing specializes in high-speed progressive stamping, high-tonnage transfer, automated assembly, and multiple welding methods (resistance, projection, MIG, drawn arc stud welding) to produce automotive structures for Tier 1 suppliers. Its processes turn raw metal into precise, high-quality assemblies through automated lines with about 1,500 industrial robots across 12 locations, enabling fast production and high consistency. The company differentiates itself by its large, employee-owned ESOP model that aligns worker incentives with company success, a global footprint, and a culture built on Safety, Ownership, and Teamwork, alongside its scale and focus on automotive structures. The goal is to be the best global supplier of automotive structures while delivering value to its employee-owners.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$100M

Headquarters

Walker, Michigan

Founded

1981

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • EV production reaching 35% of global sales by 2030 drives lightweight assembly demand.
  • Nearshoring trends increase North American OEM capacity 15-20% through 2027, favoring Challenge.
  • Tier 1 supplier consolidation creates M&A opportunities for employee-owned companies to scale.

What critics are saying

  • EV transition reduces stamped metal component demand; integrated battery housings favor composites.
  • Chinese suppliers undercut pricing; Challenge's Michigan cost structure cannot compete.
  • Top 3 OEM customers represent 60-75% revenue; 20% production drop loses 15-25% revenue.

What makes Challenge Manufacturing unique

  • 1,500+ industrial robots with AI-driven predictive maintenance reduce downtime 25-30%.
  • Employee-owned ESOP structure aligns workforce incentives with long-term operational excellence.
  • Specialized welding expertise positions Challenge for emerging EV battery enclosure demand.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Short-Term Disability

Basic Life

Voluntary Life

LTD

401(k) Company Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Referral Bonus Program

Challenge Incentive Program

Paid Time Off

ESOP shares

Company News

Business Wire
Oct 17th, 2023
WhiteHawk Capital Partners Provides Senior Term Loan Facility to Challenge Manufacturing

WhiteHawk Capital Partners, LP announced it has entered into an agreement with Challenge Mfg. Company, LLC to provide a senior term loan facility.

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