“With the appointment of Michael Kerschensteiner, we are gaining an internationally experienced executive with a proven record of building sustainable supplier partnerships and implementing innovative, forward-looking strategies. His leadership will be instrumental in further strengthening the vital work of procument at Škoda Auto, enhancing synergies within the Brand Group Core and driving overall efficiency. Karsten Schnake has successfully restructured Škoda Auto’s Procurement function in recent years, making a decisive contribution to the company’s resilience and performance. On behalf of the entire Board of Management, I would like to thank Karsten for his outstanding achievements and at the same time welcome our new colleague Michael to this important function.”
Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto
Michael Kerschensteiner has held various senior positions within the Volkswagen Group and Audi AG since 2004, primarily in the field of procurement. His career began at Audi in Ingolstadt, where he progressed through several management roles in electronics and infotainment purchasing. From 2019 to 2020, he served as Executive Director Supply at FAW-Volkswagen in China. Upon returning to Germany, he became Senior Vice President Purchasing New Products at Audi AG from January 2021 to September 2023, overseeing product strategy purchasing and the industrialisation of new all-electric and combustion-engine models. Since October 2023, he has held the position of Senior Vice President Group Procurement – New Product Launches at the Volkswagen Group, leading project steering within Group Procurement and shaping the procurement product strategy, including the sourcing strategy across all Group brands. He was also responsible for the industrialisation of new vehicle projects at Volkswagen Passenger Cars.
Karsten Schnake began his career with the Volkswagen Group in Wolfsburg in 1996 in the project management department. From 2004 to 2006, he headed Procurement at the Volkswagen Group in Verona, Italy. Between 2006 and 2018, he was based in Wolfsburg, gaining extensive experience in global series coordination, as well as capacity, cost and process management. He later moved to China as Executive Vice President of Volkswagen Group China, where he was responsible for strategic procurement and oversight of all Group brands’ procurement activities in the country. Since 1 July 2020, Karsten Schnake has served as Member of the Board of Management for Procurement at Škoda Auto.