Brand Protection Manager

Position Details
Location: Dearborn, MI

Department: Legal
Reports to: Corporate Attorney
Job Classification: Remote

FLSA: Exempt
Job Band: Professional

Job Summary 
The Brand Protection Manager will lead Carhartt’s global brand protection department including programs initiatives with a focus on identifying, removing, and seizing counterfeit products across all markets, protecting Carhartt’s intellectual property (IP) rights, managing online brand abuse, and mitigating counterfeit risks. As the Brand Protection expert, this position will be responsible for executing brand protection strategies that reduce counterfeit availability driving increased authentic purchases by our consumers. The position will have a deep understanding of brand protection best practices, and a proven implementation track record to deliver successful outcomes toward both short and long term goals.

We Are All Leaders at Carhartt
In our words and by our actions, we strive to emulate the hardworking example set forth by our founder, Hamilton Carhartt. We Lead Business by creating value, delivering on results, and making changes along the way. We Lead Self by being inclusive, recognizing that our differences make us stronger as we strive to build a better world, together, for all hardworking people. We Lead Others by communicating and clearly defining the path as we walk bravely into the future. Working at Carhartt, we are all given a seat at the table and the honor of continuing the legacy.

Representative Responsibilities 

• Execute all global brand protection strategy as of part of Carhartt’s legal team reporting to a Corporate Attorney in support of corporate initiatives with goal to mitigate risks, along with identifying and prioritizing enforcement options and implementing them.
• Lead investigations, with internal and external support, into counterfeit and infringing activities to support civil (incl. asset recovery efforts) and criminal actions including collecting and preserving evidence of wrongdoing to maintain availability of all enforcement options.
• Oversee factual research of infringing activity, including orchestrating test buys, identifying illicit behavior, identifying counterfeit products, and performing or coordinating further product testing and analysis.
• Lead online surveillance and takedown programs using online tools covering websites, marketplaces, social media, phishing sites, and sponsored ads with enforcement actions such as takedown complaints to registrars, registrants and internet service providers for fraudulent websites, phishing scams, counterfeit goods, and misuse of Carhartt’s intellectual property including trademarks and copyrights
• Establish, implement, manage, and track progress of budget (qualitative & quantitative), data-driven KPI’s, reporting for brand enforcement including recommending innovative solutions to achieve Carhartt’s brand protection goals.
• Strong capability to leverage internal and external digital tools to effectively manage cases, report results, and measure enforcement activity and proactively drives continual automation, efficiency, and effectiveness within processes to support significant business growth and risk mitigation. Actively manage IT issues and enhancements.
• Lead brand protection efforts by collaborating with senior internal stakeholders and cross-functional departments and maintaining positive, strategic relationships with outside counsel, customs authorities, law enforcement, and vendors 
• Represent Carhartt attending relevant Brand Protection meetings, conventions, industry association meetings, and training programs to enhance brand protection intelligence.
• Develop and deliver ongoing anti-counterfeiting educational and training seminars for internal stakeholders, and when appropriate, various enforcement agencies.
• Support Carhartt’s Intellectual Property portfolio, including enforcement, record management, and liaising with business units and outside counsel as needed.

Required Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, or other related degree is required. Extensive related work experience may be considered.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience inclusive of:
  • 3-5 years brand protection type activities
  • A minimum of 2 years of project leadership.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present to various audiences’ risk mitigation strategies in clear and understandable terms that demonstrates an understanding of Carhartt business and business processes.
• Strong experience defining program requirements and using data and metrics to determine improvements
• Strong interest in understanding and working with technology products including AI (both predicative and generative) to continuously automate manual legal work, streamline document management, and simplify data collection. 
• Understanding of trademark laws and enforcement strategies available in foreign jurisdictions with the ability to interpret and apply them in a marketplace setting.
• Ability to build and foster business relationships with cross functional team globally, and internal and external partners.
• Experience working on a team balanced with a self-motivated disposition, able to thrive in an environment with autonomy.
• Excellent critical thinking, attention to detail/accuracy, and project management.
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to adapt to evolving departmental and business needs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite 365 specifically Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions 

• Typical office environment: cubicle setting or combined with home office
• Extended periods of time sitting, standing, typing on a computer is required.
• Willing to work overtime including weekends, if necessary
• This position has a Remote location: Associate will have no regular requirement to be on-site. Travel on-site is limited to special events.
• Carhartt is a tobacco free workplace.

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