Ralf Schérat - Interim General Manager for Pharma & Biotech

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Norway

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Experience

Feb 2025 - Jul 2025

6 months

Kyoto, Japan

Interim Manager, General Manager

Daiichikasei Co. Ltd.

Pharma, biotech, botanical extracts
Assumed interim management
Carried out a restructuring
Realigned the company
MBO
Coaching 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
Operations responsibility for rebuilding the damaged plant sections
Coordinated project teams
Led project managers and subcontractors
Managed procurement and installation of new CAPEX and solar equipment

May 2023 - Oct 2023

6 months

Bergen, Norway

Haukeland Hospital

Convalescence after an earthquake

Apr 2022 - Apr 2023

1 year 1 month

Gaziantep, Turkey

Interim Manager, Senior Director Operations

Solen S.A.

Confectionery
Plant management
Overall planning, design, engineering and delivery of a plant expansion (65,000 sqm) for confectionery production, packaging and logistics
Client representation
Plant relocation
Project termination after multiple earthquakes caused massive damage to the plant

Jan 2022 - Feb 2022

2 months

Switzerland

Interim Manager, Senior Project Manager Plant Planning

Hochdorf AG

Dairy
Overall planning of company development: construction, equipment and services
Led project management of sterile filling infant formula plant
Clash resolution

Jan 2021 - Dec 2021

1 year

China

Interim Manager, Senior Project Director

Tianlong Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Pharma/Cosmetics
Overall project management for planning and realizing the expansion of a greenfield production plant (from 72,000 to about 80,000 sqm, total 210,000 sqm)
Preliminary planning for follow-up expansions, including solar and wastewater systems
Monitoring of project processes
CAPEX negotiations
Claim management
Responsibility for investment projects
Monitoring and control of the 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 construction (15,000 sqm) for production equipment
Implementation of an existing concept for the new plant and coordination of additions
Interface role between planning, construction, owners, and authorities
Collaboration with utility 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 refurbishment
Coordination of subcontractors
Cost monitoring
Setup of the packaging line
Lab construction
Water and solar systems

Feb 2019 - Jun 2019

5 months

İstanbul, Turkey

Interim Manager, Plant Manager / Construction Manager

Uelker Food Manufacturing Ltd.

Confectionery
Procurement of filling and packaging equipment
Construction management
Demolition, remodeling, and expansion of lab and production areas
Setup of 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
Setup of the water system
Ensuring power 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 line (mantou, baozi, medicinal herbs)
Optimization of the freezing system
Optimization of the packaging line
Installation of the analytical 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 bottling line for soy beverages and malted sports drinks
Demolition and remodeling
Lab expansion
Ramp-up

Dec 2017 - Mar 2018

4 months

Hanoi, Viet Nam

Interim Manager, Plant Director/Construction Manager

Vina Suzuki Ltd.

Bio-Pharma/TCM
Completion and final acceptance of a production hall (5,000 sqm)
Reconfiguration of the drying system
Installation of a flexible packaging line for pharma 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 protection restrictions
Capacity expansion of existing bottling 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 the installation of new bottling 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.

Restructuring of the company
Setting up a production facility
Training the local management team
Procurement of equipment
Managing plant operations during the start-up phase

Sep 2016 - Feb 2017

6 months

Kumamoto, Japan

Interim Manager, CEO

Morexim Foods Ltd.

Beverages
Partial relocation of the plant (50%)
Liquidation of the company or restructuring
Continuation under an MBO
Demolition and conversion of the historic production plant and firing system

Apr 2016 - Aug 2016

5 months

India

Interim Manager, Senior Project Director / Plant Manager

DP Food Technology Ltd.

Dairy
Partial setup of the production operations
Assembly management
Procurement 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 food production line (e.g., refrigerated display cases, cold rooms, shock freezers) for the food retail sector
Implementation of procurement projects
Responsibility for all manufacturing aspects
Improving the efficiency of production processes 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
Leading production and production planning to ensure production and delivery responsibility
Conducting process analyses
Managing procurement projects

Apr 2014 - Jun 2014

3 months

Dongguan, China

Interim Manager, COO

TA Electronics Ltd.

MedTech
Overall responsibility for the plant and production
Responsible for accounting and purchasing department
Technical project management
Development and implementation of 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
Technical and personnel leadership of 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
Procurement of production equipment made of metal, plastic and electronics
Guiding the preparation of budget planning
Plant management

Oct 2012 - Feb 2013

5 months

Shenzhen, China

Interim Manager, COO, Senior Project Director

Umeox Co. Ltd.

FMCG, MedTech
Plant relocation of plastic processing/injection molding (new build)
Dismantling of old equipment
Managing 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 of plastics, metals and electronics
Managing top suppliers

Dec 2011 - Mar 2012

4 months

Hong Kong

Interim Manager, Overall Project Manager

Xingyi Food Technology

Food, Pharma
Executing the plant relocation for packaging

Sep 2011 - Nov 2011

3 months

Hong Kong

Interim Manager, Management Consultant

Hongda Foods (HongKong) Ltd.

Food plant construction
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
Overseeing 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 Operations, Senior Construction Manager

Zhong Jing Corp.

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

Mar 2010 - Apr 2010

2 months

Shenzhen, China

Interim Manager, Director Sales & Procurement

Cinda Communication Shenzhen

FMCG
Strategic alignment of metal/plastics procurement
Process and production optimization
Implementation of global sourcing strategies

Nov 2009 - Dec 2009

2 months

Beijing, China

Interim Manager, Director Sales

Beijing Bio-Tech Co., Ltd.

Bio-pharma/biotech
Supported 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 Operations

MediaGroup AG

Media/publishing
Reporting to the CFO of the holding company
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 alignment 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 offer 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 procurement for 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
Reorganized 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 up strategic procurement management
Procurement of 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 equipment
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 engineering
Import and wholesale of European packaging machines into the Asian market
Closing of framework, pricing, 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 (brand manufacturers, food) for product placement in CEE
Managing retail chains on an exclusive basis (REWE Group)
Optimizing sales and product presentations
Analyzing customer and sales trends
Managing the private label/own-brand program
Sourcing product display systems

Dec 1990 - Aug 1994

3 years 9 months

Bonn, Germany

Commercial Managing Director, Plant Manager

KGS GmbH

Branded goods industry
Overall project leader for establishing the production facility
Design and production of POS displays for European food brands
Purchasing
Production planning

Dec 1989 - Oct 1990

11 months

Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany

City Councilor for Culture

Hohenstein-Ernstthal City Administration

Client representation for the construction of the new "Sachsenring" race track
Preparation of international tenders
Contract awards according to HOAI/VOB
Central procurement of construction and auxiliary materials
Implementation monitoring
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 Leadership: 30 Years +
It Skills: Ms Office, Sap R/3 Mm/Srm, Sd, Navision, E-Business Applications (Web-Edi) And Procurement Platform Solutions (Transaction Initiation), Zeta, Archicad, Acad, Pro Alpha Ek, Arcon, Newtron, Atlas, Various Graphics & 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/Pharma Production Processing/Filling, Gmp Guidelines, Cleanroom, Validation & Qualification (Dq, Iq, Oq), Developer License For The European Union, 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, Electrical And Switchgear Engineering, Aluminum Die Casting
Training / Courses: Swots, Personnel & Crisis Management, Intercultural Project Management, Strategic Raw Material Sourcing, 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 studies; architecture and military construction; minor in mechanical engineering · Dresden, Germany

Sep 1971 - Jun 1983

Secondary School & Gymnasium 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

Last Update

May 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ralf is immediately available for suitable projects.

Daily Rate Distribution

0 1 2 3 4

<€400 €400-800 €800-1200 €1200+

The rates shown represent the typical market range for freelancers in this position based on recent contracts on our platform.

Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.

Average rates for similar positions

Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.

1000

750

500

250

Daily rate avg. 797 €

The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.

1000

750

500

250

Median rate 880 €

The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.

Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.