Senior Manager Technical IP

Kerry Group; Naas; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry Group in Naas, Ireland, seeks a Senior Manager Technical IP to lead Kerry's technical IP portfolios, protecting innovations across biotechnology, food science and related platforms.

You will collaborate with RD&A, commercial, legal and business stakeholders to implement Kerry's global IP strategy, mentor junior team members and manage external patent counsel. This role anchors Kerry's IP-driven growth and strategic value creation.

Qualifications

• Degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Qualified Patent Attorney or Patent Agent registered with the EPO, USPTO, or equivalent jurisdiction.

Responsibilities

• Lead and independently manage strategic technical IP portfolios across Kerry's key technology pillars.
• Partner with RD&A teams and business stakeholders to identify, evaluate and protect innovation opportunities.
• Support the execution of Kerry's global IP strategy and contribute to the creation of long-term business value.
• Assess and mitigate intellectual property risks across product development and commercial activities.
• Provide practical, commercially focused IP advice to stakeholders at all levels.
• Build strong collaborative relationships across the business, driving engagement and awareness of intellectual property.
• Manage and direct external patent counsel to ensure high-quality, cost-effective delivery.
• Conduct freedom-to operate, patentability, and portfolio assessments to support business decision-making.
• Mentor and support junior team members while contributing to the continued development of Kerry's IP capabilities.
• Act as a trusted advisor, helping to embed an innovation and IP-conscious culture across the organisation.

Skills

IP portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Communication of complex concepts

Mentoring junior team members

Education

Degree in Biotechnology/ Biochemistry/ Microbiology/ Food Science

Job description

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Senior Manager Technical IP to join Kerry's Legal and Intellectual Property team at our Global Technology and Innovation Centre in Naas. This senior role will be responsible for leading several of Kerry's technical intellectual property portfolios, ensuring the protection and maximisation of value from our innovations across biotechnology, food science, microbiology, and related technology platforms.

Working closely with RD&A, commercial, legal, and business stakeholders, you will support the implementation of Kerry's global IP strategy while helping to drive greater understanding of intellectual property across the organisation. A key aspect of this role will be building trusted relationships, influencing stakeholders, and championing the value that IP can create for the business.

This role is ideally suited to a qualified Patent Attorney with strong technical expertise, excellent stakeholder management skills, and a passion for helping innovative businesses protect and leverage their intellectual property.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and independently manage strategic technical IP portfolios across Kerry's key technology pillars.
• Partner with RD&A teams and business stakeholders to identify, evaluate and protect innovation opportunities.
• Support the execution of Kerry's global IP strategy and contribute to the creation of long-term business value.
• Assess and mitigate intellectual property risks across product development and commercial activities.
• Provide practical, commercially focused IP advice to stakeholders at all levels.
• Build strong collaborative relationships across the business, driving engagement and awareness of intellectual property.
• Manage and direct external patent counsel to ensure high-quality, cost-effective delivery.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate, patentability, and portfolio assessments to support business decision-making.
• Mentor and support junior team members while contributing to the continued development of Kerry's IP capabilities.
• Act as a trusted advisor, helping to embed an innovation and IP-conscious culture across the organisation.

What we're looking for

• Degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Qualified Patent Attorney or Patent Agent registered with the EPO, USPTO, or equivalent jurisdiction.

Skills & Experience

• Significant experience managing complex patent portfolios within private practice or industry.
• Strong technical understanding of biotechnology, microbiology, food science, or related technologies.
• Experience developing and implementing IP strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Proven ability to identify, assess and mitigate intellectual property risks.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility and trust across diverse functions.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to evaluate IP opportunities and risks through a business lens.
• Experience managing external counsel and coordinating global IP activities.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and legal concepts in a clear and practical manner.
• In-house experience is preferred, although high-calibre candidates from private practice with strong client-facing and relationship-building experience will also be considered.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting Kerry's innovation agenda and helping the business unlock greater value from its intellectual property. You'll join a collaborative team that is passionate about innovation, knowledge sharing, and driving positive cultural change across one of the world's leading food and nutrition companies.

Working at the intersection of science, innovation, and business strategy, you'll have the opportunity to influence the future direction of Kerry's technology portfolio while partnering with talented colleagues across the globe.