Head of IP Management
At SIG, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, intellectual property is a key enabler of innovation and competitiveness. The IP Management department within Global R&D is responsible for protecting and strategically managing SIG’s patents, trademarks, designs, and trade secrets across all product platforms—carton packaging, bag-in-box, and spouted pouches.
This role ensures the structured and strategic management of intellectual property for all packaging systems within Global R&D at SIG. Leading the Global R&D IP Management department, the position is responsible for drafting and maintaining all IP-related documentation and processes. It secures the company’s ability to protect and leverage its technological advancements globally. The role also includes oversight of trademark management, the global SIG IP fee model, and coordination of all IP-related topics across the organization. Furthermore, the position contributes to the review and negotiation of global development and commercial contracts with focus on IP clauses, supports the legal structuring of partnerships within the Discover department, and carries full responsibility for the China IP team.
- Leadership and Resource Management: Full personnel responsibility for the global IP department, including China, and planning of internal and external resources.
- Budget Responsibility: Ownership of cost center planning and budget control for all IP-related activities.
- IP Strategy Development: Definition and implementation of the IP strategy for all SIG system platforms (Aseptic Carton, Bag-in-Box, Spouted Pouch, Chilled Carton).
- External Partner Management: Steering of external legal partners (attorneys, IP offices) and contributes to the review and negotiation of global development and commercial contracts with focus on IP clauses (e.g. licenses, NDAs, JDAs, M&A)
- Digital Transformation: Introduction of digital tools and processes to increase efficiency and optimize resource and budget allocation in IP management.
- IP Enforcement and Representation: Advising on IP disputes and litigation; representing SIG before patent authorities
- Employee Invention Management: Ongoing development and administration of SIG’s employee invention regulation and incentive systems.
- Stakeholder and Network Building: Maintaining strong internal stakeholder relationships and external networks with industry partners and competitors
- Cross-Functional and Global Collaboration: Interface management across all SIG regions and functions to ensure integrated IP processes.
- Innovation and Competitive Intelligence: Monitoring competitors and emerging technologies; improving internal processes for idea and invention handling to ensure speed, transparency, and effectiveness.
- Technical university, science or engineering degree (minimum Master level)
- Additional education as European patent attorney
- 6-10 years vocational experience
- Filling equipment and related technologies (design, automation)
- Packaging industry (materials science, packaging material and closure)
- Patent search (tools) and formulation of patent documents (including trademarks)
- Patent law expert
- Proved character of leadership and ownership
- Fluent in English both written and spoken
We are looking for people who are willing to consistently achieve results, even under tough circumstances, employees who create a climate where everyone is motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives. If you actively seek new ways to grow and be challenged, if you develop people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals, SIG is the place for you. To deliver better for our customers, our future colleagues build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions. Finally, we are looking for colleagues who build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Are you someone who applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals? Are you someone who can create new and better ways for the organization to be successful? If the answer is ‘yes’, come and join us.
SIG is the place for you to build something incredible. We offer competitive compensation and an opportunity to partially work from home. If you join us, you will be part of a globally successful international company, which is leading its industry in sustainability, technology, and more. We think of ourselves as the career launchpad - a place to develop yourself fast with real work, real experience, real opportunities to build skills. You will be part of a highly motivated and dynamic team, you will have personal development opportunities, trainings and coaching opportunities from senior team members. If you show skill and willingness to learn, we'll back you all the way.
SIG is a leading provider of packaging systems and solutions for better. We work in partnership with our customers to bring food products to consumers around the world in a safe, sustainable, and affordable way. We are the only packaging system supplier covering carton, pouch, and bag-in-box. Our versatile technology and product innovation capacity enable us to deliver better for customers, for consumers, and for the world. Sustainability guides us, technology empowers us, but it’s the passion and drive of our people that truly enable us to deliver better. Founded in 1853, SIG is headquartered in Neuhausen, Switzerland, and listed at the SIX Swiss Exchange.
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Phone: +49 246 279 1436