IP & Knowledge Manager

Job description

About Tereos With a long-term vision of adding value to agricultural raw materials and developing essential solutions for the food, health and renewable energy sectors, Tereos is a leading agri‑industrial cooperative. The Group is a major player in the processing of plant-based raw materials (beet, cane, cereals and alfalfa) and a key supplier of products such as sugar, ethanol, alcohol and starch-based ingredients. A cooperative group, Tereos brings together 10,300 cooperative members and benefits from recognized expertise in agricultural and industrial transformation. Supported by around 14,300 employees, 38 industrial sites and a presence in approximately 12 countries, Tereos operates close to its markets with a broad and complementary product portfolio. In fiscal year 2025/26, the Group achieved a turnover of €5.1 billion. Driven by its purpose— “Cultivating a shared future for the Earth and People by meeting essential daily needs” —Tereos places sustainability at the heart of its strategy and is committed to delivering innovative and responsible solutions. Contract : CDI Location : The position is based in Aalst (Belgium) Team : Innovation, Process and New Product Development Reporting to : Head of Research & Innovation About the position As Intellectual Property & Knowledge Manager, you play a central role in shaping and executing Tereos’ IP and knowledge strategy, enabling innovation to translate into sustainable business value. Positioned at the interface between science, business and legal, you ensure the protection, valorisation and strategic use of intellectual assets across the Group. You combine a strong strategic mindset with hands-on execution, directly supporting R&D and business teams through patent landscaping, scientific analysis and competitive intelligence. You act as a trusted partner to innovation teams and senior stakeholders, guiding key decisions through robust IP and knowledge insights, while driving the development of modern knowledge management practices and tools within the organization. You foster strong cross-functional collaboration, working closely with R&D, business, legal, and external partners to ensure alignment and maximize the impact of intellectual property and knowledge across the organization. You report to the Head of Research & Innovation and are based at the Tereos Corporate Technology Center in Aalst (Belgium). Your Key responsibilities: IP strategy & portfolio management : Define and drive the intellectual property strategy in alignment with business and innovation priorities Manage and develop the patent portfolio (filing, prosecution, maintenance) Conduct patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses Lead the patent governance (e.g. patent committee) and coordinate external patent attorneys Identify opportunities for IP valorisation (licensing, partnerships, monetisation) Knowledge, competitive intelligence & insights: Deliver high-impact patent landscaping, literature reviews and competitive intelligence Identify emerging technologies, trends and disruption signals relevant to strategic domains Support key R&D and investment decisions with robust IP and scientific insights Structure and facilitate access to scientific, technical and IP knowledge across the organization Knowledge Management & tools: Lead the development of a structured knowledge management approach supporting innovation Ensure proper documentation and capture of inventions and technical know-how Drive the adoption of advanced tools, including AI-based search and analytics solutions Advisory & Business Support Advise R&D and business teams on IP protection strategies and risks Contribute to drafting patent applications in collaboration with inventors and attorneys Support in- and out-licensing activities and external collaborations Train and raise awareness on IP and knowledge practices across the organization Compliance & Risk Management Ensure compliance with IP laws and regulation Monitor IP risks, disputes and competitive positioning We offer You will find yourself in a very interesting working environment and receive numerous opportunities for advancement. Tereos offers excellent training and fringe benefits. In addition to a competitive salary, a 13th month and holiday pay, you will receive a 14th month and a plant performance bonus (CAO90). We also have good hospitalization insurance, bicycle leasing and an excellent pension scheme. And, of course, not forgetting great colleagues and no traffic jams to work. Your profile : Master’s or PhD in a relevant scientific or technical field (e.g., chemistry, food science, biotechnology), additional qualification in intellectual property is required. Minimum 10 years of experience in intellectual property management, preferably within the agro-food or related industry, or in private practice. Strong expertise in patent strategy, portfolio management and competitive intelligence Demonstrated ability to operate both at strategic level and in hands-on execution Strong business acumen with the ability to translate IP and scientific insights into actionable recommendations Proven ability to build trust, influence and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders across R&D, business, legal and external partners Familiarity with patent and scientific databases (e.g. Orbit, PatSnap, Espacenet, PubMed, Scopus) and interest in AI-enabled tools Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills Fluent in English and French