A research and development (R&D) manager performs a number of highly important roles within an organization. They are responsible for research, planning, and implementing new programs and protocols into their company or organization and overseeing the development of new products. The industry in which a research and development manager works will likely have an impact on their specific duties, as these professionals often find employment in fields like healthcare, technology, business, and pharmaceuticals. The types of products produced by a pharmaceutical company are likely to be different from those produced by a technical company, so R&D managers have the ability to specialize according to their interests.
Regardless of the specific field, R&D managers are usually responsible for overseeing the entire development process of new products and programs within an organization, from the initial planning phase to implementation or production. You will need to keep track of all the costs related to the creation of these new products and decide what ideas are worth pursuing. The R&D manager should also stay informed on what is happening in the research and development field at large in order to make sure their company is up-to-date and current with the most advanced R&D developments.