Ralf Schérat - Interim Manager, General Manager

Q: What languages does Ralf speak?

Ralf speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Advanced), Italian (Advanced), Portuguese (Advanced), Russian (Advanced), Chinese (Intermediate), Japanese (Elementary) .

Q: How many years of experience does Ralf have?

Ralf has at least 32 years of experience. During this time, Ralf has worked in at least 36 different roles and for 43 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 9 months . Note that Ralf may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Ralf's latest experience?

Ralf's most recent position is Interim Manager, General Manager at Daiichikasei Co. Ltd. .

Q: What companies has Ralf worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Ralf has worked for Daiichikasei Co. Ltd. , Solen S.A. , Haukeland Hospital , Hochdorf AG , and Tianlong Pharmaceuticals Ltd. .

Q: Which industries is Ralf most experienced in?

Ralf is most experienced in industries like Food and Beverage , Manufacturing , and Retail . Ralf also has some experience in Advertising , Pharmaceutical , and Healthcare .

Q: Which business areas is Ralf most experienced in?

Ralf is most experienced in business areas like Operations , Procurement , and Project Management . Ralf also has some experience in Sales , Production , and Marketing .

Q: Which industries has Ralf worked in recently?

Ralf has recently worked in industries like Food and Beverage , Pharmaceutical , and Biotechnology .

Q: Which business areas has Ralf worked in recently?

Ralf has recently worked in business areas like Project Management , Operations , and Procurement .

Q: What is Ralf's education?

Ralf holds a Doctorate in International business (BBA); architecture and military engineering; minor in mechanical engineering from Military Leadership Academy Dresden .

Recommended expert

Norway

Experience

Feb 2025 - Jul 2025

6 months

Kyoto, Japan

Interim Manager, General Manager

Daiichikasei Co. Ltd.

Pharma, biotech, botanical extracts
Assumed non-permanent general management
Carried out a restructuring
Realigned the company
MBO
Coached the management team
Implemented new processes
Change management

Dec 2023 - Dec 2024

1 year 1 month

İstanbul, Turkey

Interim Manager, COO, Senior Project Director

Solen S.A.

Confectionery
Responsible for operations in rebuilding the destroyed plant sections
Coordinated project teams
Led project managers and subcontractors
Managed procurement and assembly of new CAPEX and solar systems

May 2023 - Oct 2023

6 months

Bergen, Norway

Haukeland Hospital

Convalescence after earthquake

Apr 2022 - Apr 2023

1 year 1 month

Gaziantep, Turkey

Interim Manager, Senior Director Operations

Solen S.A.

Confectionery
Plant management
Overall planning, concept, engineering and realization of a plant expansion (65,000 sqm) for confectionery production, packaging and logistics
Client representation
Plant relocation
Project cancellation after multiple earthquakes caused massive plant destruction

Jan 2022 - Feb 2022

2 months

Switzerland

Interim Manager, Senior Project Manager Plant Planning

Hochdorf AG

Dairy
Overall planning of corporate development: construction, equipment and services
Led project management of a sterile filling plant for infant milk
Resolved collisions

Jan 2021 - Dec 2021

1 year

China

Interim Manager, Senior Project Director

Tianlong Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Pharma/Cosmetics
Overall project management for planning and realization of the expansion of a greenfield production facility (from 72,000 to about 80,000 sqm, total 210,000 sqm)
Preliminary planning for subsequent expansions including solar power and wastewater systems
Monitoring project processes
CAPEX negotiations
Claim management
Responsibility for investment projects
Monitoring and controlling overall project status

Feb 2020 - Nov 2020

10 months

İstanbul, Turkey

Interim Manager, Overall Project Manager/Plant Manager

Yildiz Holding Corporation

Confectionery
Project management of a new plant build (15,000 sqm) for production equipment
Implementation of an existing concept for the new plant construction and coordination of additions
Interface between planning, construction, owners and authorities
Coordination with utilities providers for water and heat

Jun 2019 - Jan 2020

8 months

Bengaluru, India

Interim Manager, Project Director

HEM Corporation

Pharma/Ayurveda
Expansion of production facilities and buildings including refurbishments
Coordination of external contractors
Cost monitoring
Setting up the packaging line
Lab construction
Water and solar systems

Feb 2019 - Jun 2019

5 months

İstanbul, Turkey

Interim Manager, Plant Manager/Head of Construction

Uelker Food Manufacturing Ltd.

Confectionery
Procurement of filling and packaging lines
Overall construction management
Demolition, refurbishment and expansion of lab and production
Setting up a new fresh water and wastewater system
Solar technology

Oct 2018 - Jan 2019

4 months

Bengaluru, India

Interim Manager, Plant Manager

HDC Drugs Ltd.

Bio-Pharma/Ayurveda
Handover of a production hall (total approx. 20,000 sqm)
Installation and commissioning of a packaging line for Ayurveda products
New lab construction
Setting up the water system
Ensuring energy supply

Jul 2018 - Sep 2018

3 months

Beijing, China

Interim Manager, Plant Director

Zhaohui Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

Food, Pharma
Relocation and installation of a frozen food plant (mantou, baozi, medicinal herbs)
Optimization of the freezing system
Optimization of the packaging line
Installation of the analysis lab
Ramp-up support

Mar 2018 - May 2018

3 months

Guangzhou, China

Interim Manager, Plant Project Director

Oviten Haoyuan Beverages Ltd.

Beverages
Procurement and relocation of a PET filling line for soy drinks and malted sports drinks
Demolition and reconstruction
Laboratory expansion
Ramp-up

Dec 2017 - Mar 2018

4 months

Hanoi, Viet Nam

Interim Manager, Plant Director/Head of Construction

Vina Suzuki Ltd.

Bio-pharma/TCM
Completion and final approval of a production hall (5,000 sqm)
Reconfiguration of the drying system
Installation of a flexible packaging line for pharmaceuticals and food products (natural products)

Jul 2017 - Nov 2017

5 months

Japan

Interim Manager, General Manager

Ozawa Shuzo Ltd.

Beverages
Expansion of the historic production building under Japanese heritage preservation requirements
Capacity expansion of existing filling lines for sake and shochu
Restructuring
MBO

Jun 2017 - Jul 2017

2 months

Heilbronn, Germany

Interim Manager, Plant Project Manager

Friesland Campina GmbH

Dairy
Project management for new filling lines
Optimization of existing production lines

Mar 2017 - Jun 2017

4 months

George Town, Malaysia

Interim Manager, Plant Manager/Director of Operations

Ingsun Foods Ltd.

Company restructuring
Setting up a production facility
Training the local management team
Procurement of equipment
Plant management during the startup phase

Sep 2016 - Feb 2017

6 months

Kumamoto, Japan

Interim Manager, CEO

Morexim Foods Ltd.

Beverages
Partial factory relocation (50%)
Company liquidation or restructuring
Continuation through an MBO
Demolition and renovation of the historic production facility and the firing system

Apr 2016 - Aug 2016

5 months

India

Interim Manager, Senior Project Director / Plant Manager

DP Food Technology Ltd.

Dairy
Partial establishment of the production operation
Assembly management
Purchasing negotiations with suppliers
Development of the local management team

Nov 2015 - Feb 2016

4 months

New Zealand

Interim Manager, Plant Manager / General Manager

CFD Ltd.

POS displays
Completion of the frozen technology production line (e.g. display cabinets, cold rooms, shock freezers) for retail food
Execution of procurement projects
Responsibility for all manufacturing aspects
Improving production process efficiency for ceramic materials

Apr 2015 - Sep 2015

6 months

Shanghai, China

Interim Manager, COO

Jintai Industry Ltd.

Industrial printing systems, digital printing
Production management and planning
Technical development of graphic systems
Collaboration with R&D and sales
Execution of procurement projects

Sep 2014 - Mar 2015

7 months

Xiamen, China

Interim Manager, COO

Quanzhou Communications Ltd.

MedTech
Overseeing production and production planning to ensure production and delivery responsibilities
Conducting process analyses
Executing procurement projects

Apr 2014 - Jun 2014

3 months

Dongguan, China

Interim Manager, COO

TA Electronics Ltd.

MedTech
Responsible for managing the plant and production
Responsible for accounting and purchasing department
Technical project management
Developing and setting up controlling tools
Monitoring all ongoing projects

Nov 2013 - Feb 2014

4 months

Hong Kong

Interim Manager, Head of Procurement & Operations

Sum Foods Ltd.

Food plant engineering
Providing technical and personnel leadership for operational and strategic management
Contract negotiations for packaging and filling lines

Apr 2013 - Aug 2013

5 months

Hong Kong

Interim Manager, Head of Operations

Ainol Technology Ltd.

FMCG, MedTech
Responsible for organizing and supporting all commercial tasks
Procuring production materials in metal, plastic, and electronics
Guiding the budget planning process
Plant management

Oct 2012 - Feb 2013

5 months

Shenzhen, China

Interim Manager, COO, Senior Project Director

Umeox Co. Ltd.

FMCG, MedTech
Relocation of plastics processing/injection molding operations (new setup)
Dismantling old equipment
Leading the new production after ramp-up
Leading the managers
Budget responsibility for the production site

Apr 2012 - Sep 2012

6 months

Shenzhen, China

Interim Manager, Head of Purchasing

Shenzhen Biyang Tongda Technology Co. Ltd.

MedTech
Building and managing long-term, strategic relationships with key suppliers for plastics, metals, and electronics
Management of top suppliers

Dec 2011 - Mar 2012

4 months

Hong Kong

Interim Manager, Overall Project Manager

Xingyi Food Technology

Food, Pharma
Implementation of packaging plant relocation

Sep 2011 - Nov 2011

3 months

Hong Kong

Interim Manager, Management Consultant

Hongda Foods (HongKong) Ltd.

Food plant engineering
Contract negotiations with potential clients
Sourcing metal, plastic, and electronic components

May 2011 - Sep 2011

5 months

Hong Kong

Interim Manager, Director of Purchasing Asia

Dannemann Cigars AG

FMCG
Managing internal packaging production processes
Paper plant engineering

Feb 2011 - Apr 2011

3 months

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Interim Manager, General Manager

Easytech Mobile Systems SZ/HongKong Ltd.

FMCG
Restructuring the company
Expanding the sales organization

Apr 2010 - Sep 2010

6 months

China

Interim Manager, Director of Operations, Senior Site Manager

Zhong Jing Corp.

Solar technology
Production management for thin-film systems
Assembly management for international solar projects

Mar 2010 - Apr 2010

2 months

Shenzhen, China

Interim Manager, Director of Sales & Procurement

Cinda Communication Shenzhen

FMCG
Strategic orientation of metal/plastic procurement
Process and manufacturing optimization
Implementation of global sourcing strategies

Nov 2009 - Dec 2009

2 months

Beijing, China

Interim Manager, Director of Sales

Beijing Bio-Tech Co., Ltd.

Bio-pharma/biotech
Supporting executive management in the strategic realignment of processes for raw materials, packaging, and technical equipment

Jan 2009 - Oct 2009

10 months

Kyiv, Ukraine

Interim Manager, Director of Operations

MediaGroup AG

Media/publishing
Reporting to the CFO of the holding
Responsible for finance, HR, IT, and procurement
Turnaround and restructuring

Oct 2008 - Dec 2008

3 months

Zürich, Switzerland

Interim Manager, Lead Buyer Electronics/ IT

CableCom GmbH

Media
Strategic direction of electronics and contracts procurement in collaboration with other Liberty Global units (leveraging synergies between Cablecom, UPC Austria, and UPC NL)
Development, definition, and review of KPIs and SLAs
Sourcing and contract negotiation

May 2008 - Aug 2008

4 months

Poland

Interim Manager, Strategic Procurement Consultant

Sina Polska S.r.l.

Nature Cosmetics
Supported management in the strategic realignment of purchasing plastic and cardboard packaging
Consolidation of the procurement process

Feb 2008 - Apr 2008

3 months

Ulm, Germany

Interim Manager, Head of Procurement

TM Tech GmbH

Automotive/plastics
Reorganization of strategic procurement management
Contract negotiations
Led regional sourcing initiatives
Controlling and reporting

Sep 2007 - Nov 2007

3 months

Ningbo, China

Interim Manager, Strategic Buyer

YingLi Trading GmbH

Recycling goods
Built strategic procurement management
Procured the equipment

Sep 2005 - Aug 2007

2 years

Vienna, Austria

Interim Manager, Head of Operations

Coldwater Trading Ltd.

Plant construction
Wholesale of paper and plastic packaging machinery
Liquidation of the company

Jan 2005 - Aug 2005

8 months

Berlin, Germany

Charité Berlin

Recovery after the tsunami

Sep 2000 - Dec 2004

4 years 4 months

Singapore

Director Sales & Purchasing

TaiTung Trading Ltd.

Plant construction
Import and wholesale of European packaging systems into the Asian market
Negotiation and finalization of framework, terms and supplementary agreements

Oct 1994 - Aug 2000

5 years 11 months

Vienna, Austria

Head of Sales & Marketing

P.I.A. GmbH

Marketing agency
Product launch campaigns for retail and industrial clients (branded goods, food) to place products in CEE
Exclusive support of retail chains (REWE Group)
Optimization of sales and product presentations
Analysis of customer and sales trends
Management of private-label programs/own brands
Sourcing of merchandise display systems

Dec 1990 - Aug 1994

3 years 9 months

Bonn, Germany

Commercial Managing Director, Plant Manager

KGS GmbH

Branded goods industry
Overall project manager for the setup of the production facility
Design and production of POS displays for European food brand manufacturers
Procurement
Production planning

Dec 1989 - Oct 1990

11 months

Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany

Council Member for Culture

Stadtverwaltung Hohenstein-Ernstthal

Client representation for the construction of the new "Sachsenring" racetrack
Preparation of international tenders
Award of contracts according to HOAI and VOB
Central purchasing of building and auxiliary materials
Monitoring of implementation
Budget responsibility
Staff training

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Food and Beverage, Manufacturing, Retail, Advertising, Pharmaceutical, and Healthcare.

Food and Beverage

Manufacturing

Retail

Advertising

Pharmaceutical

Healthcare

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Operations, Procurement, Project Management, Sales, Production, and Marketing.

Operations

Procurement

Project Management

Sales

Production

Marketing

Skills

Leadership Experience: 30+ Years
Project Experience: 30+ Years
Project Leader: 30+ Years
It Skills: Ms Office, Sap R/3 Mm/srm, Sd, Navision, E-business Applications (Web-edi) And E-procurement Platforms (Transaction Sourcing), Zeta, Archicad, Autocad, Pro Alpha Ek, Arcon, Newtron, Atlas, Various Graphic & Layout Programs (Coreldraw, Freehand, Illustrator…), Various Project Management Software, Basics Of Robotics, Color Theory, Ms Project, Braintool A-plan, Netronic Varchart, Scrum, Supplier Management System Xcitec (Kpi, Sla)
Other Skills: Packaging Design, Food Science, Food/pharmaceutical Production Processing/filling, Gmp Guidelines, Cleanroom, Validation & Qualification (Dq, Iq, Oq), Developer License For The European Union, Building Planning Law, Epc/epcm, Iso/ts 16949, Vda 5, Iso 13485, 9001, 14001, 18001, Ifrs, Opex / Kanban / Lean Management, Screen Printing, Sheetfed Offset, Sheet Metal Processing, Laser Cutting Technology, Electrical And Control Engineering, Aluminum Die Casting
Seminars / Further Training: Swots, Personnel & Crisis Management, Intercultural Project Management, Strategic Raw Material Procurement, Freight Purchasing, Procurement And Contract Law, Quality Management

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Spanish

Advanced

Italian

Advanced

Portuguese

Advanced

...and 3 more

Education

Sep 1983 - Nov 1989

Military Leadership Academy Dresden

Diploma · International business (BBA); architecture and military engineering; minor in mechanical engineering · Dresden, Germany

Sep 1971 - Jun 1983

Secondary school & high school Ludwigsfelde

Ludwigsfelde, Germany

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 44

Experience in Food and Beverage 13 y

Avg length 8 m

Longest experience 5 y 10 m

Global Experience

Countries worked in 15 (China, Hong Kong, Germany, Turkey, Japan, +10)

Primary country China

Expertise

Recent roles Interim Manager, General Manager, Interim Manager, COO, Senior Project Director, Interim Manager, Senior Director Operations

Main industries Food and Beverage, Manufacturing, Retail

Main business areas Operations, Procurement, Project Management

Qualifications

Highest degree Doctorate

Profile

Created

May 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

What languages does Ralf speak?

Ralf speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Advanced), Italian (Advanced), Portuguese (Advanced), Russian (Advanced), Chinese (Intermediate), Japanese (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Ralf have?

Ralf has at least 32 years of experience. During this time, Ralf has worked in at least 36 different roles and for 43 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 1 year and 9 months. Note that Ralf may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Ralf be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Ralf would be well-suited for roles such as: Interim Manager, General Manager, Interim Manager, COO, Senior Project Director, Interim Manager, Senior Director Operations.

What is Ralf's latest experience?

Ralf's most recent position is Interim Manager, General Manager at Daiichikasei Co. Ltd..

What companies has Ralf worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Ralf has worked for Daiichikasei Co. Ltd., Solen S.A., Haukeland Hospital, Hochdorf AG, and Tianlong Pharmaceuticals Ltd..

Which industries is Ralf most experienced in?

Ralf is most experienced in industries like Food and Beverage, Manufacturing, and Retail. Ralf also has some experience in Advertising, Pharmaceutical, and Healthcare.

Which business areas is Ralf most experienced in?

Ralf is most experienced in business areas like Operations, Procurement, and Project Management. Ralf also has some experience in Sales, Production, and Marketing.

Which industries has Ralf worked in recently?

Ralf has recently worked in industries like Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, and Biotechnology.

Which business areas has Ralf worked in recently?

Ralf has recently worked in business areas like Project Management, Operations, and Procurement.

What is Ralf's education?

Ralf holds a Doctorate in International business (BBA); architecture and military engineering; minor in mechanical engineering from Military Leadership Academy Dresden.

What is the availability of Ralf?

Ralf is immediately available for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Ralf?

Ralf's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.