Schalk Opperman

Merck Group, Managing Director & General Manager Croatia & Slovenia

Schalk Opperman, currently General Manager and Managing Director at Merck d.o.o. Croatia and Slovenia. He started his working career as a teacher of natural sciences before moving to Merck as a representative. He has been working at Merck for the past 20 years and whilst starting his career in South Africa, has had exposure to several African countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Mauritius, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in various roles and positions, as Training manager, Export manager, Licencing and Business development, National Sales manager and eventually General Manager. From South Africa he was posted to Eastern Europe and spent 4 years as General Manager of Merck Romania where he stayed in Bucharest. Recently he was promoted to manage two countries in Croatia and Slovenia, being based in Zagreb. Schalk has a wife and 15-year-old daughter that has made the journey through different continents with him. Adjusting to different languages and cultures are both exhilarating and challenging, but in the end very rewarding on personal and professional level.

Articles by Schalk Opperman

My International Career at Merck Group

A Merck KGaA managing director traces his path from sales rep in South Africa to leading Croatia and Slovenia across four countries. See roles at Merck KGaA.