Senior IP Manager

Join the Magic

Our Mission

 

At Puratos, we create innovative food solutions for the health and well-being of people everywhere. As the global leader in bakery, patisserie and chocolate ingredients, we help our customers to be successful with their business, by turning technologies and experiences from food cultures around the world into new opportunities.

 

We are more than 10.000 employees in over 70 countries and a consolidated turnover of 2.8 billion euros (in 2022). Our passion for innovation, a pioneering spirit and the unique Puratos culture drive our solid growth and vision for the future. This, along with our commitment to our local communities, is what makes working at Puratos so magical.

 

To strengthen our team in our HQ in Groot-Bijgaarden, we are looking for:

 

 

Senior intellectual property manager (m/w/d)

(Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium)

 

 

Your Mission

 

 

As sr. IP manager you will be joining a vibrant international R&D team and a diverse Upstream R&D community. You will be succeeding an experienced Sr. IP manager going to retirement, yet motivated to guide and share knowledge and expertise for an overlapping period.

 

Your mission is to create added value differentiation for Puratos by establishing a clear patent strategy within the Group IP approach, by:

• maintaining and extending a strong patent portfolio
• defining a proactive and adequate litigation and licensing strategy
• creating IP awareness within the Group
• leveraging external partnerships towards new opportunities at the Group’s HQ and internationally within Puratos global subsidiaries

 

 

What will you do?

 

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• You will establish a clear IP approach for the Puratos Group

 

• You will identify and validate inventions in Bakery, Patisserie and Chocolate
• You are responsible for patent and IP scouting: studies of prior art, leveraging existing (out-of-field) IP towards new opportunities in Bakery, Patisserie, Chocolate
• You will align with HQ, regional and local R&D teams towards identification and translation of (R&D / operational / …) results into new IP opportunities

 

• You will draft and file patent applications

 

• You will advise based on Group’s strategy on global, regional, country approaches for IP filing and define the best approaches “towards creating value from within”

 

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• You will monitor competitor patent activities

 

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• You will create and activate the external IP ecosystem

 

• You will define the strategy on collaboration with patent attorneys and external partners towards IP preparation, opportunity scouting, filing, and defending. Identify & monitor new approaches and procedures.

 

 

• You will manage the patent portfolio and the IP data

 

• You will co-lead the IP steerco with the Legal department
• You will follow-up patent applications during examination up to the grant
• You will protect the existing patent portfolio towards infringements
• You will define & execute patent licensing strategy in close collaboration with relevant departments / markets

 

 

• You will create IP and patent awareness within the global Puratos R&D community

 

 

 

Who are we looking for?

 

• You are an enthusiastic (bio-) engineer or food scientist
• You have at least 10 years of expertise in a corporate food environment, of which at least 5 years of epertise in IP
• You have an understanding of business and R&D realities, existing product, technology and packaging portfolio, to ensure proper identification of new IP opportunities
• You have an in-depth knowledge of patent drafting and patent terminology, and a fluent pen
• You have strong digital skills supporting efficient IP and data management and accessibility
• You are an excellent communicator, bringing clear messages and translating needs into opportunities and vice versa
• It is a plus if you have followed IP (patents)) trainings & have certifications (QPIP - Qualified Patent Information Professional, CEIPI, …). You are willing to follow necessary IP trainings

 

 

 

What you can expect from Puratos

 

You will be welcomed in a dynamic work environment where passion for innovation, team spirit and continuous improvement are key. You can count on a competitive salary package with attractive benefits such as:

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