Senior Intellectual Property Counsel - Commercial (m/w/d)

Senior Intellectual Property Counsel - Commercial (m/w/d)

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Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Intellectual Property (IP) Counsel - Commercial (m/f/d) for our Global Legal & IP Team at KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA. The Senior IP Counsel will act as a business partner for our strategic growth areas, especially KWS Food Ingredients (KFI), and will be the main contact for all IP-related questions and strategies, contributing to value creation through IP within the KWS Group. The role requires providing high-quality, business-oriented IP advice, acting as a proactive and pragmatic sparring partner with a solid understanding of the seed and/or food industry.

The position is permanent and full-time. The work location can be either our headquarters in Einbeck (Lower Saxony) or our office in Berlin.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advise on intellectual property matters at the intersection of IP, research, breeding, and business, with full responsibility for all IP questions and strategies related to our expanding KFI business, focusing on plant proteins and special crops.
• Act as a sparring partner for the business in identifying new opportunities, developing, and implementing overarching IP strategies and business models, fostering value creation in close coordination with stakeholders across all levels of the KWS Group.
• Prepare or manage the filing and prosecution of patents worldwide, ensuring Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) for all KWS activities.
• Manage and represent the KWS Group in post-grant proceedings such as oppositions and litigations.
• Protect KWS's IP interests in cooperation or licensing negotiations with competitors, academia, or other industries, and support IP aspects in M&A transactions.
• Expand and coordinate an excellent, cost-efficient global network of external IP advisors.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in life sciences, food sciences, biology, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of the food industry, especially plant-based ingredients, is advantageous.
• Several years of experience as a European Patent Attorney in a multinational company or international law firm.
• National qualification as a patent attorney and/or authorization to represent KWS before the unitary patent court is preferred.
• Excellent client focus and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Exceptional communication skills to convey complex IP information and facilitate decision-making.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving mentality.
• Team player with independent working style and social skills.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written); proficiency in German is a plus.

What We Offer

• An exciting and varied role in an international environment with opportunities to contribute innovative ideas.
• Work within a motivated, dynamic, and international team.
• Support for professional and personal development under the motto "Make yourself grow!"
• Flexible working hours with hybrid working options.
• A family-owned company culture based on values like teamwork, closeness, trust, independence, and foresight, fostering an open and friendly working atmosphere.
• Competitive salary including Christmas and holiday bonuses, savings benefits, childcare allowance, company bike (Job Rad), and more.

Start your career today by submitting your application! We look forward to receiving your application through our online system.

Additional Details

• Seniority level: Associate
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Legal
• Industries: Farming and Biotechnology Research

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