Erk Schuchhardt
CEO & Managing Partner
Summary
Accomplished business development and transformation leader with over 28 years of CEO experience across Latin America, the U.S., and Europe, specializing in the agricultural, food manufacturing, and pharmaceutical sectors.
Proven track record in leading complex restructuring, change management, and growth strategies, including M&A-driven buy-and-build approaches. Recognized for building high-performance leadership teams, aligning operations with ESG principles, and executing strategies from boardroom to field.
Brings strong up-and-down communication skills and thrives in multicultural environments—from executive committees to remote smallholder communities. Known for a hands-on, resilient leadership style with a “go-to and never-give-up” mentality, especially when navigating crisis or turnaround situations
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
CEO & Director North Europe
Midsona Deutschland
01.2013 - 12.2023
• Acquired and turned around a struggling pioneer in Germany’s organic food sector.
- Rebuilt the company in to a strategic and highly automated operational platform, streamlined operations, and restored profitability.
- Sold the company to Sweden’s Midsona Group.
- Stayed on as CEO to lead a buy-and-build strategy, including target identification and integration.
CEO
Weleda AG
09.2008 - 12.2012
- Developed and implemented fundamental reorganization of company into Business Units with corresponding new financial reporting in order to improve profitability.
- Introduced a new HR compensation and pay structure and performance oriented feedback system.
CEO & President
Weleda North America Inc.
07.2000 - 08.2008
- Reorganized supply chain and relocated production to Europe and returning company to profitability.
- Rebuilt brand and led successful U.S. mass market entry, achieving +200%+ growth
CEO & President
Weleda Argentina S.A.
01.1996 - 06.2000
- Strategically restructured a financially distressed, family-owned company.
- Integrated the business into the Weleda Group.
- Established it as Weleda’s production platform for South America (Chile, Peru, Argentina, Brazil)
Education
OPM50 -
Harvard Business School
Boston, MA, USA 04.2001 -
Advanced HR Executive Program -
Ross School of Business, University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI, USA 04.2001 -
Master of Science - Political Economy of Transition
London School of Economics
London, UK 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - European Business
Nene College, University of Leicester
Northampton, UK 04.2001 -
Skills
1 Strategic Leadership & Operational Management
- 28 years as CEO in mid-sized and publicly traded companies (up to 1,000 employees) across Latin America, Europe, and North America
- Proven track record leading firms through complex financial and macroeconomic challenges
- Strong P&L ownership and results accountability
- Experienced in crafting and executing turnaround strategies, building strong teams, and driving long-term growth
2 Buy-and-Build Strategies (Latin America, USA & Europe)
- Extensive experience in buy-and-build strategies via mergers and acquisitions, including:
- Developing business strategies focused on value creation
- Identifying, assessing, and selecting acquisition targets
- Leading full M&A processes: due diligence, deal structuring, and negotiation
- Executing post-merger integration and restructuring to capture synergies
3 Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
- Expert in high-stakes negotiations across multicultural, multilingual contexts
- Trusted conflict resolution advisor in succession planning, corporate restructuring, and shareholder disputes
- Fluent in German, English, and Spanish for nuanced communication across jurisdictions
4 ESG-Sourced Agricultural Commodities (Latin America, Asia, Africa & Europe)
- Strong expertise in organic, sustainable supply chains and agricultural markets
- Skilled in partnering with smallholders, cooperatives, and global players
- Track record in designing and implementing PPP-funded, long-term integrated projects
5 Resilience & Ethical Stewardship
- Proven emotional intelligence and composure under pressure
- Committed to ethical leadership and sustainable business practices
- Values integrity, loyalty, and mission-driven action—especially in restructuring or transitional phases
Timeline
CEO & Director North Europe
Midsona Deutschland
01.2013 - 12.2023
CEO
Weleda AG
09.2008 - 12.2012
OPM50 -
Harvard Business School
04.2001 -
Advanced HR Executive Program -
Ross School of Business, University of Michigan
04.2001 -
Master of Science - Political Economy of Transition
London School of Economics
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - European Business
Nene College, University of Leicester
04.2001 -
CEO & President
Weleda North America Inc.
07.2000 - 08.2008
CEO & President
Weleda Argentina S.A.
01.1996 - 06.2000
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