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Job Purpose and Impact

Location: Mechelen, Belgium - This is a permanent full time position, requiring 3 days per week in the Office, flexible/ hybrid working supported for 2 days per week. 

The Intellectual Property Lawyer, will handle the Intellectual Property affairs for Cargill (in EMEA) with collaboration from Senior IP Lawyers and Patent agents. In this role, you will be responsible for managing a Patent portfolio and for advising and representing Cargill on legal issues primarily concerning Patent and Trade Secret matters.

Key Accountabilities

• Patent Portfolio Management: Work with the patent agent team to evaluate invention submissions, prepare and prosecute patent applications and manage global patent portfolios in alignment with Cargill’s business strategies and objectives.
• Innovation Partnering: Coordinate general IP activities, assist with patent due diligence, help develop IP strategies and provide intellectual property and commercial counseling to business stakeholders.
• Strategic IP Counseling: Provide legal advice on the patentability of inventions, freedom to operate, infringement and IP risks in projects and transactions. Partner closely with R&D, business leaders, internal patent agents and external counsel to safeguard Cargill’s innovations and drive competitive advantage, delivering clear, timely and pragmatic advice and solutions.
• Agreements & Transactions: Draft and negotiate simple intellectual property related agreements and support on IP due diligence in merger and acquisition activities.
• Dispute Resolution: Assist in managing patent disputes, oppositions, appeals, and potential litigation, working closely with either senior Lawyers or external counsel where necessary.
• IP Training: Coordinate and provide training for key employees on intellectual property matters.
• Leadership & Mentoring: You may provide direction to other team members and will be expected to be a key contributor and active team member.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or scientific field.
• Fully qualified as a European Patent Lawyer with a minimum of four years of relevant post-qualification work experience, including experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications in English.
• Strong knowledge of European patent law, EPO procedures, and international IP systems.
• Ability to effectively handle conflict and apply judgment in counseling.
• Excellent communication, advocacy and drafting skills.
• Ability to problem solve using a creative, resilient and flexible style and approach.
• Fluent English.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree, doctoral degree, or equivalent experience in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, biochemistry, food science, or a related field.
• Proficiency in French or German and/or Dutch

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