IP Manager
For its Healthcare Packaging business, Clariant is looking for an Intellectual Property and Technology Intelligence Manager.
Responsibilities :
• Develop and build a strong intellectual property strategy, particularly in relation to patents, freedom to operate, trademarks, designs and trade secrets.
• Guide R&D project teams on appropriate patent filing strategies: identify patentable innovations, support assessment of patentability of inventions, draft invention disclosure and define intended scope of claims.
• Provide instructions to internal and/or external patent attorneys for the filing and prosecution of domestic and foreign patent applications, including the preparation of arguments in response to office actions in collaboration with inventors.
• Act as key interface with internal and/or external patent attorneys regarding all strategic patent- and contract-related matters.
• Review and assist in the preparation of freedom-to-operate opinions in relation to new product ideas and planned developments.
• Review and prepare contracts, such as CDAs, service agreements, license agreements, research agreements and joint development agreements in collaboration with internal and/r external (patent) attorneys.
• Provide guidance to management on new business transactions involving intellectual property. • Lead active technology intelligence including systematic competitor watch and strategically support the R&D team with market specific scientific information management (bibliographic review, competition monitoring…) to carve out best value for each development.
• Assists R&D team for scouting innovation opportunities from academia and think tanks.
• Identifies IP white spaces for R&D developments.
• Strategically manages the BU/BL patent portfolio including annual reviews.
• Review and budget IP expenditure. Manage expenses to budget. Track IP related KPI’s.
Expected outcomes :
• Maximizing value from technology and innovation by strategically managing IP rights, contracts and knowledge.
• Ensure freedom-to-operate.
• Protect technology and innovation.
• Establish Innovative culture.
• Create awareness for IP topics.
Requirements :
• Education: PhD or engineer background in polymer processing.
• Experience: a minimum of 5 years of experience in managing the preparation and prosecution of patent applications and the review of patentability and freedom-to-operate searches, in a private organization. – Working experience in primary packaging for cosmetic or pharma products or in medical devices is preferred.
• Fluent in French; Excellent skills in oral and writing of English.
Contact: marc.leyendecker 'arobase' clariant.com
