Intellectual Property (IP) Manager

Job Summary

This role will lead efforts to identify, protect, and strategically leverage intellectual property assets to support innovation and business objectives in the North American segment. This role will serve as a key interface between product development, legal/IP functions, and external partners to proactively manage IP strategy, mitigate risk, and unlock long-term value from innovation. The ideal candidate will combine a strong technical background with business acumen to shape patent and trademark strategies, monitor competitive IP landscapes, and influence cross-functional development efforts.

Essential Functions

• Serve as a key internal contact for IP projects in North America, facilitate resource alignment, and conduct due diligence before outside counsel is engaged
• Conduct IP audits and competitive landscaping to proactively identify invention opportunities, freedom-to-operate risks, and gaps in protection.
• Lead the preparation of invention disclosures and coordinate closely with IP Legal and external counsel to support patent drafting, prosecution, and portfolio development.
• Collaborate across global IP and segment IP managers to improve governance, align on strategy, and develop best practices and training.
• Improve and document IP governance projects and create new processes to align with Group IP directives
• Coordinate bi-monthly IP update meetings on patents and trademarks with outside counsel
• Define and implement IP protection strategies that align with business priorities, including identifying opportunities to broaden and strengthen coverage.
   
• Work with the legal/IP function to ensure favorable IP terms in development agreements and guide design strategies that mitigate infringement risk.
   
• Regularly report on competitor IP activity and emerging technology trends to R&D, Legal, and commercial stakeholders.
   
• Coordinate decisions on patent maintenance, annuities, and trademark renewals, balancing protection needs with portfolio efficiency.
   
• Develop and maintain internal IP processes, tools, and documentation aligned with global IP standards and directives.
   
• Coordinate training on IP processes and procedures
• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned

Job Qualifications

Required

• Excellent business acumen: demonstrates willingness to deeply understand the business
• Strong communication skills; must also be able to effectively communicate technical concepts
• 5+ years of experience in product development, technology evaluation, and intellectual property management.
   
• Strong client focus: is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external clients, acts with the client in mind, establishes and maintains effective relationships with clients, and gains their trust and respect.
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university, preferably with a technical background
• Relevant experience working at a law firm or in-house with patent and trademark matters, ideally with a manufacturing organization in the packaging industry 

Preferred

• Experience in consumer products, packaging, or manufacturing industries.
• Familiarity with U.S. and international IP law, including PCT and national phase filings.
• Experience designing or improving IP governance processes and providing IP training.

Environment

Work within an office-type setting, a majority of each day, with controlled climate conditions.

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