Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel (m/w/d) at KAMAX, Homberg (Ohm)

Why the Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel Role at KAMAX Stands Out

For legal professionals seeking a position that blends deep commercial law expertise with strategic compliance leadership, the Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel (m/w/d) opening at KAMAX in Homberg (Ohm), Germany, offers an exceptional opportunity. KAMAX is a globally recognized family-owned enterprise and a technology leader in the manufacturing of high-strength fastening elements for the automotive industry. With around 3,000 employees across 13 locations worldwide, the company operates at the heart of major automotive regions, setting standards in innovation, quality, and cost-effectiveness. This role is not merely a legal job; it is a strategic position advising on high-stakes, cross-border projects, product liability issues, and TISAX-related information security — making it a career-defining move for an experienced legal counsel.

"In der Automobilindustrie sind wir der technologisch weltweit führende Hersteller hochfester Verbindungselemente. Wir setzen Standards in den Bereichen Innovation, Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit."

The above quote from the job description underscores KAMAX's pride in its engineering excellence and market leadership. For a legal counsel, joining such a company means becoming part of a team that supports complex industrial operations, long-term client partnerships, and cutting-edge manufacturing solutions. This role is designed for someone who wants to move beyond routine legal work and contribute directly to the company's strategic objectives through robust legal risk management and compliance governance.

Inside the Role: Responsibilities That Go Beyond Traditional Legal Advice

The position reports to the Head of Group Legal & Compliance and involves a broad spectrum of duties. According to the published job description, the successful candidate will:

• Advise various departments across the KAMAX Group on all company-relevant legal questions, with a particular emphasis on commercial law and product liability law.
• Accompany national and international projects over their entire lifecycle, focusing on contract design and legal implementation support.
• Support the Head of Group Legal & Compliance on overarching compliance topics and independently manage selected compliance responsibilities.
• Gradually take on tasks in the field of information security, especially in connection with TISAX, with the aim of eventually steering this area.
• Develop and implement measures to reduce legal and economic risks, including the creation and continuous improvement of internal policies and guidelines.

This job description paints a clear picture: KAMAX is seeking a legal professional who is not afraid of ownership. The mention of TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is particularly noteworthy, as it signals the growing convergence of legal, compliance, and cybersecurity in the automotive sector. A candidate who embraces this intersection will find a unique career trajectory, moving from legal advisory into a role that also shapes the company's information security framework.

Product Liability and Commercial Law: The Core Pillars

With KAMAX's focus on high-strength fasteners used in critical automotive applications, product liability issues are paramount. The legal counsel will need to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, supply chain contracts, and potential liability claims across different jurisdictions. This requires not only a deep understanding of German and European law but also the ability to work with international teams and local counsel. The role explicitly seeks candidates with "vertiefte Kenntnisse im Wirtschafts-, Vertrags- und Compliance-Recht" — deep knowledge in commercial, contract, and compliance law — ensuring that the incumbent can handle the rigors of a global manufacturing environment.

Who Should Apply? Decoding the Ideal KAMAX Candidate

The eligibility criteria outlined for this role reflect a search for a seasoned legal mind. Let's break down the requirements:

• Formal Qualification: A successfully completed law degree (juristisches Studium) is mandatory. This is non-negotiable.
• Professional Experience: The company explicitly asks for "langjährige Erfahrung" — long-standing experience — in the described areas, ideally within the automotive sector. This is not an entry-level position; it is a senior counsel role.
• Legal Acumen: Deep familiarity with commercial, contract, and compliance law is essential. Experience with automotive-specific regulations and cross-border transactions will give candidates a clear edge.
• Soft Skills: Communication skills, assertiveness, a confident appearance, and a high level of commitment are listed. The role requires someone who can engage with internal stakeholders across technical, commercial, and leadership teams.
• Language & IT Skills: Very good English skills are mandatory, as is proficiency in MS Office. The global nature of KAMAX means English will likely be a working language alongside German.

These criteria indicate that KAMAX values both legal technical expertise and the ability to influence and implement. The ideal candidate is likely a Volljurist (fully qualified lawyer) with 5-10 years of post-qualification experience in a corporate legal department or a leading law firm, with demonstrated exposure to the industrial or automotive sector.

"Sie zeichnen sich durch Ihre Kommunikationsfähigkeit, Durchsetzungsstärke sowie Leistungsbereitschaft aus und haben ein sicheres Auftreten."

This line from the job ad emphasizes communication and assertiveness — qualities that are essential for any in-house counsel who must balance legal risk with business facilitation.

Preparing a Winning Application: Strategies for Aspiring Candidates

If you meet the criteria, your application must be carefully crafted to stand out. Given that the job posting has already received a significant number of applications (34 at the time of viewing), your strategy needs to be precise.

1. Tailor Your CV to the Automotive & Manufacturing Context

Highlight any previous exposure to the automotive supply chain, industrial manufacturing, or product liability matters. Use keywords from the job description, such as Produkthaftung, Compliance, Vertragsgestaltung, and TISAX. If you have experience with international projects, make that visible — KAMAX operates globally, and cross-border legal work is a core component of the role.

2. Showcase Compliance and Information Security Projects

Given the explicit mention of TISAX and information security, candidates who can demonstrate hands-on experience in this area will be at a distinct advantage. Whether you have led a TISAX assessment or implemented data protection and cybersecurity policies, these should be prominent on your CV. Even if you are not a cybersecurity expert, any coursework or professional training in IT law or data security will bolster your profile.

3. Quantify Your Impact

Instead of listing responsibilities, use metrics to show your effectiveness. For example, "Advise on contracts worth €X million," or "Reduced compliance incidents by X% through the implementation of new guidelines." This aligns with the company's ethos of Wirtschaftlichkeit (cost-effectiveness) and measurable results.

4. Prepare for Behavioural and Case-Based Interviews

Given the seniority of the role, interviews will likely probe your decision-making under pressure. Expect scenarios involving product liability crises, complex international contract negotiations, or compliance violations. Prepare structured answers that demonstrate your ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives.

The Career Impact: Why This Role Is a Strategic Move

Joining KAMAX as a Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel offers substantial long-term benefits beyond the immediate scope of the job.

• Global Exposure: With operations in major automotive regions, you will work with teams across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond. This exposure is invaluable for building a global legal network.
• Compliance Leadership Pipeline: The role is positioned directly under the Head of Group Legal & Compliance, providing a clear path to higher leadership roles in legal and compliance. The additional responsibility for information security makes you a candidate for future Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) or General Counsel positions.
• Industry Relevance: The automotive sector is facing profound changes — from electric mobility to autonomous driving and supply chain due diligence laws like the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG). In this context, legal counsel who understand the intersection of commercial, compliance, and information security are in high demand.
• Professional Autonomy: KAMAX explicitly mentions "große Gestaltungsspielräume" (great creative freedom) and "hohes Maß an Eigenverantwortung" (high degree of personal responsibility). This means you will not just be an advisor but a decision-maker.

KAMAX as an Employer: What to Expect

KAMAX positions itself as a family-owned company that plans long-term, not only for its locations and equipment but also for its employees. The offer highlights investments in individual development, personal flexibility, clear processes, and short decision-making paths. This suggests a collaborative and pragmatic work environment — quite different from the bureaucracy often found in larger corporations. For legal professionals seeking a place where their work has a visible impact, this is a compelling prospect.

How to Apply and Next Steps

The job posting on LinkedIn indicates that candidates must apply through the LinkedIn platform or the company's careers portal. However, the original application link is not specified in the provided content. Given that the listing is fresh (posted 2 days ago) and actively collecting applications, interested candidates should act promptly. Since the deadline is not stated, it is advisable to submit applications as soon as possible before the position is filled. Visit KAMAX's official careers website (www.kamax.com) to check for a direct application portal or explore LinkedIn's job posting for the application form.

Additionally, networking can significantly boost your chances. The platform suggests that "mit einer Empfehlung lassen sich Ihre Chancen auf ein Vorstellungsgespräch bei KAMAX verdoppeln" — with a referral, your chances of an interview can double. Therefore, reaching out to current or former KAMAX employees, connecting with the hiring manager, or joining relevant professional groups on LinkedIn could be a strategic advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the salary range for a Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel at KAMAX?

The job posting does not mention a specific salary figure. For a senior in-house counsel role in Germany, salaries typically range from €100,000 to €150,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. KAMAX's compensation likely reflects market standards and includes additional benefits such as a company pension scheme and performance bonuses.

2. Does KAMAX require German bar membership (Volljurist) for this role?

While a successfully completed law degree is mandatory, the job description does not explicitly require the second state examination (Assessorexamen) or full bar admission. However, due to the depth of legal work involved, candidates with the full German legal qualification (Volljurist) will be highly preferred, as they can provide comprehensive legal opinions and represent the company in court if needed.

3. What is TISAX, and why is it mentioned in the job description?

TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is an assessment and exchange mechanism for the automotive industry, addressing information security. It is widely recognized as the standard for ensuring the security of prototypes, process information, and other sensitive data. KAMAX's mention of TISAX indicates that the legal counsel will be responsible for legally overseeing the company's compliance with these stringent cybersecurity requirements, a growing field at the intersection of law and technology.

4. Is relocation assistance provided for candidates moving to Homberg (Ohm)?

The job posting does not specify any relocation support. However, given the seniority of the role and the family-owned nature of KAMAX, it is likely that some form of relocation assistance could be negotiated during the interview process. Candidates requiring relocation should address this during initial conversations with the HR department.

In conclusion, this Senior Legal & Compliance Counsel role at KAMAX offers a remarkable opportunity for legal professionals ready to take on strategic responsibilities in an international, dynamic corporate environment. With the right preparation, you can position yourself as the candidate KAMAX is looking for — one who combines legal expertise, commercial awareness, and a deep commitment to compliance and information security.