IP Manager

Bühlergroup seeks a Senior IP Manager in Uzwil to safeguard innovation assets, manage patent portfolios, and support R&D teams with strategic IP guidance.

This position is responsible for protecting the company's innovation investments by managing its intellectual property portfolio. The role acts as a bridge between internal teams and external partners, supporting business-wide innovation efforts through strategic IP management and stakeholder collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the company’s intellectual property assets, including patents, trademarks, and designs, across specific business units.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, and product management teams to identify new inventions and ensure they are properly protected.
• Handle the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, working alongside external attorneys and internal staff to ensure effective filing and pursuit.
• Perform IP analyses such as freedom-to-operate checks, patent searches, competitor monitoring, and risk assessments.
• Advise internal departments on IP strategy, confidentiality measures, licensing, enforcement, and industry best practices.

Requirements

• A university degree in mechanical engineering, food sciences, or a related discipline.
• Partial qualification as a European Patent Attorney.
• Several years of professional experience as a patent attorney or trainee within an industrial IP department or law firm.
• Excellent command of English for communication.
• Good proficiency in German.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams and explain complex IP concepts to non-specialists.
• Comfort operating in a complex matrix organization.
• A structured, detail-oriented, and proactive approach with the ability to evaluate business risks and opportunities.
• Skill in understanding intricate technical concepts and translating them into actionable IP strategies.

What the company offers

• Daily fitness menu available at the VIVA Restaurant for 9.00 CHF.
• Comprehensive mobility package including OSTWIND ZVV / Z-Pass, half-fare travelcard for CHF 365, plus CHF 400 public transport credit, first-class travelcard, or free parking.
• Employer-funded pension plan via the Bühler Pension Fund.
• 25 to 30 days of vacation annually, depending on age.
• Preventive health care services including laboratory analyses, massages, nutritional advice, physiotherapy, group courses, and access to a company doctor.
• Special conditions for mobile phone subscriptions through Mobilezone with Sunrise and Swisscom.

About the company

Bühlergroup focuses on balancing humanity, nature, and economic goals in its decision-making process. The company develops solutions that create sustainable business opportunities in the global food, feed, and mobility sectors. It aims to drive innovation for a better world, emphasizing healthy, safe, and sustainable outcomes, and collaborates with customers, start-ups, multinationals, and academia to accelerate impact.

• Commitment to balancing humanity, nature, and economy in every decision.
• Focus on creating innovations for a better world, particularly in healthy, safe, and sustainable solutions.
• Collaborative approach with customers, start-ups, multinationals, and academia to accelerate impact.