Property Casualty Underwriting Director jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

We believe being healthy should not require tradeoffs. SCN BestCo is a leading innovator, developer and manufacturer of Vitamin, Mineral & Supplement (VMS), Over-the-Counter (OTC) and prebiotics/probiotics in enjoyable forms such as gummies, lozenges and chews. With over 50 years of excellence, our team leads the way in changing how consumers make healthier choices.  With unique food science expertise and proprietary processes, we’ve pioneered many firsts.  The fire in our belly to create new to the world products has guided and continues to be core to our mission of making health and wellness more enjoyable. Come join us and become a part of our winning formula!

The Intellectual Property Manager is responsible for shaping, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive Intellectual Property (IP) strategy for the Company, guiding IP development, and managing other IP-focused objectives. This position acts as the primary subject matter expert (SME) on all IP matters within SCN BestCo.

Estimated starting annual base salary is $77,792.00 -$116,688.00 less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on a bi-weekly basis. Please note that the actual compensation offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined by the Company, which may include, but is not limited to, location, experience, qualifications, education, skillset, and market conditions. The target base compensation for this role is in the low to middle of the range, with the top of the range reserved for only exceptional circumstances. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary, variable annual incentive, paid based on Company performance factors. SCN BestCo offers a competitive benefits package to eligible full-time employees, which currently includes medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with employer matching contributions, life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more, as well as paid sick leave in accordance with applicable law. Each benefit is subject to eligibility requirements as specified in plan documents, and the Company reserves the right to modify the benefits it offers from time to time

• Drive the creation, ongoing development, and execution of a comprehensive IP strategy for driving business goals and mitigating third-party risk.
• Collaborate with Research & Development (R&D) and business groups to provide education and training, identify patentable innovations, and document invention disclosures.
• Execute and manage Freedom To Operate (FTO) and product clearance searches.
• Perform ongoing monitoring and analysis of the competitive patent space.
• Advise on IP considerations in development agreements or other relationships with third parties.
• Review IP licensing agreements and IP clauses in company related agreements.
• Coordinate with outside counsel or consultants as needed, including for the drafting and prosecution of patent applications, handling FTO, and other IP topics.
• Travel as needed (15%).

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s in chemistry or related field.
• 4 years’ professional experience in intellectual property, patents, and trade secrets.
• Experience with large- or mid-sized companies in an IP focused role.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

• Strong working knowledge of all forms of intellectual property (emphasis on patents and trade secrets), patent databases, IP management software, patent development, and patent prosecution.
• Comfortable proactively engaging R&D and business groups to provide training, identify patentable innovations, and other IP strategy initiatives.
• Effective communication and project management skills for managing intellectual property issues between R&D, business, and senior management teams.
• Strong business acumen, creativity, initiative, innovation, project management, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

• Master’s degree in a relevant field of study.

• Registered US patent agent or attorney.
• Experience in food, manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, vitamin/supplement and/or pharmaceutical industries.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities