Stefan Oschmann (born July 25, 1957) is a German business executive who served as the Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the science and technology company Merck KGaA from 2016 to 2021.
Oschmann was born in Würzburg, Germany. He studied veterinary medicine at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and earned his doctorate in the same field. His early career included roles at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the German Animal Health Federation (BfT).
In 1989, Oschmann joined the American pharmaceutical company MSD (known as Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States and Canada). During his 20-year tenure at MSD, he held various senior executive positions, including Managing Director of MSD Austria and corporate roles overseeing operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Oschmann joined the Executive Board of Merck KGaA in 2011, initially serving as the member responsible for the healthcare business sector. In 2015, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Deputy CEO. He succeeded Karl-Ludwig Kley as Chairman and CEO in April 2016. Under his leadership, Merck KGaA emphasized a strategic shift toward becoming a science and technology leader, focusing on innovation in healthcare, life sciences, and performance materials. He also oversaw the integration of Sigma-Aldrich and steered the company’s digital transformation initiatives.
In May 2021, Oschmann stepped down at the end of his term and was succeeded by Belén Garijo.
Beyond his corporate leadership at Merck, Oschmann served as the President of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) from 2014 to 2016. He has also been involved with various industry organizations and advisory boards, contributing to discussions on global health policy and the pharmaceutical industry's role in society.
