Škoda Auto has announced the appointment of Michael Kerschensteiner as Chief Procurement Officer Škoda & Region East, effective 1 February 2026. He succeeds Karsten Schnake, who has taken on a new role as a Member of the Extended Executive Committee of the Volkswagen Group and as Member of the Board of Management for Procurement at the Volkswagen brand.
In his new role, Kerschensteiner will also oversee procurement operations in the Region East within the Brand Group Core.
Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto, said: “With Michael Kerschensteiner joining Škoda, we gain an internationally experienced executive with a proven record in building sustainable supplier partnerships and implementing innovative strategies. His leadership will further strengthen Škoda’s procurement function, enhance synergies within the Brand Group Core, and drive overall efficiency. We also thank Karsten Schnake for his outstanding contributions, which have significantly enhanced the resilience and performance of our procurement operations.”
Kerschensteiner has held various senior roles within the Volkswagen Group and Audi AG since 2004, primarily in procurement. He began his career at Audi in Ingolstadt, progressing through multiple management positions in electronics and infotainment purchasing.
From 2019 to 2020, he served as Executive Director Supply at FAW-Volkswagen in China. Returning to Germany, he became Senior Vice President Purchasing New Products at Audi AG (2021–2023), overseeing product strategy procurement and industrialisation of new electric and combustion-engine models. Since October 2023, he has held the position of Senior Vice President Group Procurement – New Product Launches at Volkswagen Group, leading project steering and shaping procurement strategy across all Group brands.
Schnake began his career with the Volkswagen Group in 1996 in Wolfsburg, later heading procurement in Verona, Italy (2004–2006). From 2006 to 2018, he gained global series coordination experience and later served as Executive Vice President of Volkswagen Group China, overseeing strategic procurement across all Group brands. He joined Škoda Auto’s Board of Management for Procurement on 1 July 2020, successfully restructuring the company’s procurement function and contributing to its operational resilience.
