Corporate Services Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY: Works within the Corporate Services Department as part of the IPR, Legal & Complaint team. Performs data collection to obtain information for IPR applications, tracks competitor IPR and provides assistance for contract administration and contract management. Provides support to the complaint team for complaint investigation, tendering of complaints and may assist with initiating complaint testing and research as needed. Collects plant data for PVP and patent applications for filing with the USDA or submission to outside legal counsel for filing with the USPTO. Distributes competitive patent information for reporting to product management and R&D. Conducts trademark searches and assists with FTO analysis. Maintains IPR portfolio of patents, PVP/PBR and trademarks and provides information upon request. Assists with updating agreements including license agreements, confidentiality agreements, liability waivers, releases and settlements. Works with the Senior Director of Corporate Services on projects and internal initiatives as requested. Provides administrative support for the Corporate Services Department as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:

• Collects plant data for PVP and patent applications.
• Conducts trademark registration and common law trademark searches upon request.
• Updates IP databases and generates reports upon request.
• Monitors and tracks competitive patent information from patent monitoring system and assists with setting up alerts and watches for patents being carefully monitored.
• Provides competitive IP information for SAH key crops.
• Processes vegetative ornamentals IPR costs for invoicing to SSC and assists with budget expense forecasting.
• Updates agreements including, but not limited to, license agreements, confidentiality agreements, sales agreements, purchase agreements, distributor agreements, grower agreements and settlements.
• Updates product liability waivers, policies, procedures and presentations.
• Assists Complaint Manager in coordinating complaint investigation, logging and tendering complaints as needed. Ensures the data associated with complaints and complaint investigation is accurate and complete.
• Works with the Senior Director of Corporate Services on special projects and initiatives as required. Provides general administrative support for the Corporate Services department upon request.
• Works with the Senior Manager of IPR, Legal & Complaint and the Complaint Manager to provide educational webinars to employees.
• Works with Business Process Analyst and/or Consultants as needed to design and implement solutions to improve efficiency of company processes.
• Provides support for development and implementation of contract management initiatives including QRS for CLM and the expanded use of DocuSign eSignature.
• Employee will participate in mandatory training regarding the GSPP handling protocols and procedures and apply all during the handling of any GSPP seeds. Employee agrees to active participation in the GSPP Program by performing the following activities related to the GSPP seed:

-Complaint Handling

• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Must have the ability to organize and plan work effectively.
• Strong sense of initiative, accountability and ability to handle multiple projects.
• Proficient in Clarivate Analytics and Microsoft systems including Teams, SharePoint, Dynamics ERP, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and emerging technologies from Microsoft.
• Ability to handle stress especially when encountering necessary projects, deadlines and/or high workload.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Associates degree or equivalent required. BA or BS degree desirable.

EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND:

• Some experience in plant agriculture or related area desirable.
• Agriculture or Seed industry knowledge is highly desirable.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Must be able to work occasionally in a greenhouse or outside in the field and under different weather conditions including extreme temperatures, wind, and/or dusty conditions.
• Must be able to travel occasionally.
• Must be able to sit, stand and/or walk for long periods of time.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS :

• Salary: $26-$28 per hour
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance coverage for employees and their families
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401k program with company match
• Profit Sharing program (via 401k)
• Holiday & Performance Incentive Bonus program
• Paid Vacation: 10 days per year to start, increases with tenure
• Sick Leave: 1 hour accrued per 30 hours worked for first 30 days, 6.67 hours per month after.
• 14 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays & birthday off
• Paid Family Leave: 15 days after 12 months of service for FMLA qualifying events
• Company provided EAP

*To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty (as described above) satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.