What are the responsibilities and job description for the Intellectual Property Lead position at Bobbie?
The Role
The Intellectual Property Lead will establish Bobbie’s IP strategy and programs. This role will help lead the overall global IP strategy and operations for Bobbie, working with the commercial and marketing teams to drive strategy and management of the company IP rights.
The IP Lead will also work closely with the product development team by acting as their advisor on a variety of IP-related issues including FTO analysis, patentability, IP agreement negotiation and support, and other IP issues. This position will report to the VP of Sales, Partnerships, and Business Affairs.
What you will do:
- Act as the intellectual property advisor and strategist to senior management and the R&D team in all phases of new product development and commercialization.
- Manage and provide oversight of all intellectual property matters.
- Maximize the company value by building and growing the intellectual property portfolio.
- Develop the company’s strategy and practices in the protection of intellectual property rights in relation to inventions and external collaborations.
- Draft, review, and support the filing of patent applications, trademark applications, trade-secrets, and other intellectual property rights.
- Work with and manage with outside counsel.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders and outside counsel to identify, develop, and defend new patentable, assess patentability of new inventions.
- Review and prepare freedom-to-operate opinions, infringement, and validity analyses in relation to new product ideas and development opportunities in collaboration with outside counsel.
- Provide periodic training to company employees regarding the protection of IP.
- Prepare and review the IP-related budget and manage expenses.
- Advise on intellectual property issues associated with commercial transactions, strategic alliances, development, marketing and/or other agreements.
What we would like you have:
- Experience in handling complex IP matters for consumer packaged goods (CPG) or food ingredient companies, and preferably in the areas of early life nutrition, functional/medical foods, or dietary supplements.
- 5 years of experience practicing intellectual property strategy and creation in a field relevant to this position (see above), at a corporate level or at a law firm.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, ability to communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly.
- Strong organizational skills, including careful attention to detail and ability to handle and prioritize multiple assignments and maintain strict deadlines through effective time management.
- Advanced degree in biology, biochemistry, food science, nutrition or related scientific degree.
- Juris Doctorate degree and Patent Bar optional.
While also being:
- Passionate -- about what we are doing
- Proactive -- can take initiative to get things done
- Curious -- love learning and staying on top of emerging trends
- Excited about working at an early-stage startup -- where you may end up doing all kinds of things!
