What does a Head of Research & Development (R&D) do?

A R&D department is responsible for innovations in design, products, and style, creating innovative new products to keep the company a step ahead of the competition, working closely with the IP or Patent Department . Many companies also rely on the R&D department to improve existing consumer products, and to explore new ways of producing them. As such the R&D department works closely with the Marketing Department of a company, as well as with IP or in house patent attornies.

What skills are required?

A Head of Research and Development:

• develops, facilitates, and executes all activities for the assigned R&D and Product Development projects;


• works closely with IP or Patent Department so he/she must be familiar with basics of national and international IP laws;


• manages and monitors pre-qualification and qualification production runs, and closeout visits to the production facilities to ensure proper procedures and practice compliance procedures;


• supervises and trains quality and operation staff as needed at introductions of new package, products, or processes;


• ensures collection of all pertinent R&D and Product and Development technical information/documentation; effectively communicates, investigates, and resolves study issues;


• ensures efficient and effective use of the R&D budgets;


• interacts with and monitors activities of external vendors;


• provides day-to-day guidance and oversight of employees/researchers; actively works to promote and recognize performance.