Intellectual Property Manager

at  Picanol

Company Description
Picanol is part of Picanol Group, a business unit of Tessenderlo Group (Euronext: TESB).
Picanol develops, manufactures, and sells high-tech weaving machines based on airjet and rapier technology and offers digital services for its weaving machines, as well as weaving frames and reeds, upgrade kits, spare parts, training, and troubleshooting services.
Job Description
We are currently looking for an Intellectual Property Manager (patent attorney/expert) to support and advise the different companies of Picanol Group (Picanol, Proferro, and Psicontrol).
You will be part of the Picanol R&D department and the Tessenderlo Group IP Community of Practice, and your main task will involve the active management of the IP portfolio of the weaving machines.

The Picanol R&D department is continuously developing new weaving machines and applications in an extremely competitive industrial environment.

• You will be required to support our design engineers with up-to-date IP information related to freedom to operate, prior art, patentability, etc.
• You will mainly manage the IP portfolio of Picanol, but also support Proferro and Psicontrol in their domains.
• You will need to create IP awareness within the R&D department and the entire company and encourage patent-stimulated innovation.
• You must set up a network within and outside the company to detect potential IP infringements at, for example, international exhibitions, customers, etc.
• You will provide your IP expertise to the R&D and group management on IP opportunities to build, defend, and leverage the group’s IP assets and IP risks and their mitigation actions.
• You will closely work with external patent attorneys with regard to patent drafting and prosecution (or draft yourself) and be a critical challenger to obtain the maximum scope of protection for the business.
• You will be expected to manage and optimize the total cost of IP by setting up an IP strategy and actively monitoring the patent costs (including renewal fees). You will also organize patent portfolio review meetings with R&D and the business to re-align the portfolio to the business goals.
• You will need to increase patent awareness by setting up and coordinating group-wide training programs and sharing best practices across the group.
• You will support and improve the R&D Development Process related to IP, confidentiality, and NDA handling.

You will advise and support the R&D Management Team related to IP-based funding and tax reduction (IID and High-tech status). You will be expected to improve and create standard group and business unit processes to efficiently manage IP and implement the group and business unit policies and guidelines for IP.
You will report to the R&D Manager of Picanol Weaving Machines, with a dotted line to the VP Innovation and IP of Tessenderlo Group.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of hands-on experience with IP development, protection, strategy, and portfolio management.
• Expertise in patents and interpreting a patent claim scope in order to create the maximum level of protection and value for the company. Being an experienced patent attorney would be considered a plus. We will also consider nearly-qualified European patent attorneys, national (e.g. US) patent attorneys, or patent agents, as well as non-EQE-qualified IP experts.
• A scientific background, such as a Master’s or PhD in engineering.
• Positive and proactive attitude and drive, along with a pragmatic and hands-on approach.
• Planning, analytical, prioritizing, and organizational abilities.
• Multilingual: you should be fluent in English and preferably Dutch as well. Knowledge of German would be considered a plus.

You will be based at Picanol’s HQ in Ieper. Remote working or partly working from the Tessenderlo Group’s Head Office in Brussels is also an option.
Additional Information
An employer that is an international company and a segment leader. We offer a clear training path that will be developed for you and adapted to your needs and ambitions. This will also be monitored by your own training coach. Furthermore, we will provide you with the freedom to elevate your position to the highest level.

As well as:

• Compensation according to experience.
• Meal vouchers (8 EUR).
• Flexible working hours (ensuring a good work-life balance is a very important concept for us).
• Up to 8 work-from-home days per month.
• Up to 29 vacation days per year.
• An attractive cafeteria plan as well as car and bike lease options, etc.
• Group and hospitalization insurance.
• Member of the Tessenderlo Group IP community, with patent and trademark attorneys and IP coordinators involved in every business activity providing you with a sounding board for IP matters and creativity.
• Mental and physical well-being are very important for us. This is evidenced by the Picanol Group Strava Club and the large number of colleagues who participate in the Mondi Run, the 100 km of Ieper, the Kemmelberg Trail, etc. But we also enjoy having some French fries and an after-work drink on Fridays.
• And much more!

Please refer the Job description for details