AB InBev is seeking a Global IP Manager R&D for for their Global Innovation & Technology Center (=GITEC), in Belgium. GITEC develops over 200 new beers or variations on existing brands each year. That's an average of one per working day. There are 150 scientists, engineers, lab technicians, brewing technologists and consumer experts working on AB InBev's innovations. Let’s take on the challenge. Here is to the chance to make a difference. Cheers to dreaming big.
GITEC Global IP Manager R&D
Location: GITEC Headquarters – Leuven, Belgium
Purpose of the job
As a Global IP Manager R&D you are responsible for leading GITEC’s patent filing and other intellectual property efforts. You will also manage the global patent & design portfolio, monitor GITEC patent budget & pro-actively seek actions to keep spenditure within target and negotiate with patent agencies if needed. And support R&D teams on Global and Zone level in obtaining patent protection – lead technical discussions in view of patentability & technical evidence needed. You will lead a small team of co-workers to organize and fulfill all formalities, portfolio updates, database activities and IT compliance.
Role Key Accountabilities
IP Management
- Being able to guide all of GITEC’s technical developments mostly with high complexity and broad scope (on zone and/or global level) with the goal to get the best possible IP position for the company. This will include all focus areas of our R&D organization, hence the job requires a high (proven) degree of self-coordination and a broad technical as well as a good legal/IP understanding.
- Lead discussions with external patent agencies on procedural decision making.
- Monitor budget tightly in accordance with negotiated prices and keep opportunities open to increase cost efficient management.
- Responsible for keeping the central portfolio up to date.
GITEC Performance & KPI results
- Ownership of key GITEC financial KPI’s and responsibility for delivering 3YP R&D Revenue targets as well as 1Y delivery.
- Responsibility for project leadership & management, as well as hands on involvement as a project team member, for initiatives with high complexity incl. monthly reporting of status to senior management.
- Define and support IP Revenue Projects at the Global level in a multicultural and international environment.
- Support key projects that are strategic to AB InBev, impacting on Market Share, Costs, Volumes and EBITDA
- Key Contacts: Full GITEC and ZITEC audience, Global Tax Team, Legal, external partners, ZX Ventures, Procurement.
Skills and Experiences
- University technical degree or equivalent (Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, Biology, Agronomy, Brewing Science, Food Science). Additional technical brewing education or PhD in a technical scientific area are an asset.
- Minimum 5 years business experience in a related environment. Relevant background knowledge in the area of IP and patent laws, from a European and International perspective is a must.
- Working with free and commercial patent tools such as Espacenet, PatentScope, Orbit, Ipendo is a plus.
- Experience in equipment and/or process development areas for processing industries and technical expertise in science & technology is a plus.
Competences
- Demonstrated leadership and ability to impact and influence to move things forward, while balancing differing ideas / agendas.
- Very good communicator, with a demonstrated ability to translate technical items into commercial concepts and vice-versa.
- Proven familiarity with the fundamentals of IP and the steps involved in patenting new technologies, helping to build strong overall IP portfolio that gives ABInBev competitive advantage.
- Demonstrated ability of multi-dimensional, analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Fluency in English, written and spoken, is a must. Additional languages are a plus.
