Senior Intellectual Property Counsel – Commercial (m/f/d)

JR Germany; Einbeck; Hybrid; EUR 60.000 - 100.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Intellectual Property Counsel to join their Global Legal & IP Team. This permanent, full-time role is based in Einbeck or Berlin, offering a unique opportunity to lead IP strategies in the plant-based ingredients sector. The ideal candidate will possess a PhD in Life Sciences and experience as a European Patent Attorney. Join a motivated team and contribute innovative ideas in a culture that values closeness and reliability. Enjoy flexible hours and a competitive salary package while making a significant impact in the food industry.

Leistungen

Flexible hours

Hybrid work options

Professional development support

Attractive salary package

Bonuses and benefits

Qualifikationen

• PhD or comparable degree in Life Sciences or related fields required.
• Several years of experience as a European Patent Attorney preferred.

Aufgaben

• Provide IP leadership and counselling for KWS's business areas.
• Manage patent applications and represent KWS in patent matters.

Kenntnisse

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving abilities

Excellent customer orientation

Strong communication skills

Team player

Ausbildung

PhD in Life Sciences

Degree in Food Science

Degree in Biology

Jobbeschreibung

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Client:

KWS Group

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Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

2

Posted:

05.05.2025

Expiry Date:

19.06.2025

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Job Description:

KWS is one of the world's leading plant breeding companies. Over 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries generated net sales of around €1.5 billion in the fiscal year 2021/2022. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for 165 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for corn, sugarbeet, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflower. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants' resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested more than €285 million last fiscal year in research and development.

For our Global Legal & IP Team, we are seeking to recruit a Senior Intellectual Property (IP) Counsel - Commercial (m/f/d) for KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA. The Senior IP Counsel (m/f/d) acts as a Business Partner for our strategic growing fields, especially KWS Food Ingredients (KFI), and is the central point of contact for all IP matters and strategies, contributing to value creation through IP in the KWS Group. Providing high-quality and business-oriented IP advice, the Senior IP Counsel (m/f/d) acts as a proactive and pragmatic sparring partner for the KWS business with a sound understanding of the seed and/or food industry.

This is a permanent position and available in full-time. The place of work is our HQ in Einbeck (Lower Saxony) or our office in Berlin.

Your Tasks:

1. Provide IP leadership and counselling at the interface between IP and R&D, Breeding, and Business with full responsibility for all IP matters relating to our expanding business area of KFI, with a focus on plant-based proteins and special crops.
2. Act as a sparring partner to the business in identifying new opportunities, developing and implementing holistic IP strategies, and fostering value creation in alignment with stakeholders at all levels.
3. Manage the filing and prosecution of patent applications worldwide and establish freedom to operate (FTO) for all KWS activities.
4. Represent the KWS Group in post-grant patent matters such as opposition and litigation.
5. Secure IP interests in collaborations, license negotiations, and support M&A activities.
6. Expand and coordinate a global network of external IP counsel efficiently.

Qualifications:

• PhD or comparable degree in Life Sciences, Food Science, Biology, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of the food industry, especially plant-based ingredients, is a plus.
• Several years of post-qualification experience as a European Patent Attorney in a multinational or law firm.
• National qualification as patent attorney and/or admission to represent KWS before the Unified Patent Court is a plus.
• Excellent customer orientation, entrepreneurial mindset, and strong communication skills.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Team player with independent working style and social competence.
• Fluent in English; German language skills are a plus.

What We Offer:

• An interesting and diverse role in an international environment.
• Opportunity to contribute innovative ideas within a motivated team.
• Support for professional and personal development.
• Flexible hours and hybrid work options.
• An attractive salary package with bonuses, benefits, and allowances.
• A culture guided by values of closeness, reliability, foresight, and independence, fostering an open and friendly atmosphere.

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

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