A Different Set of Strengths: An Inspirational Perspective from Manuela Körkel, Schaeffler

Inspirational Role Model Feature | Women Automotive Network

At the Women Automotive Network, we're proud to spotlight women driving change, innovation, and inclusion across the industry. Our Inspirational Role Model series celebrates professionals whose journeys inspire others to grow, lead, and make an impact — proving that every path into automotive is unique, and every story matters.

In this edition, we spoke with Manuela Körkel, Vice President Purchasing for the Business Division Engine & Transmission Systems at Schaeffler, whose journey from the food industry into automotive leadership shows what curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to fairness can build over time.

Above: Manuela Körkel, Vice President Purchasing, Business Division Engine & Transmission Systems, Schaeffler

Can you tell us a little about you, your background and how you got started in the automotive industry?

Originally from the food industry and with studies in Business Administration and International Marketing, I was "lent" to Purchasing during my early years, mainly to support translations with a supplier that did not speak anything but French. I was supposed to support there for two weeks and stayed forever 😊

After nearly 20 years in food (Käserei Champignon, Ferrero, Rübezahl Chocolates) and retail (Lidl), I decided to move back home in 2018, when my dad got sick. There were no food jobs available here in this region, and so I looked into other industries with Purchasing roles. I found a job online at Schaeffler, Lead Buyer for Technical Springs, and decided to apply for it. After they had interviewed me, they called the next day and said they would give it a shot, even though I had no experience within the automotive industry.

My current role is Vice President Purchasing for the Business Division Engine & Transmission Systems, which belongs to our Powertrain & Chassis Division. I started as a Lead Buyer in April 2019, took the Global Category Manager role of that category three months later, and after another three years I was given my first leadership position in Schaeffler, Director Purchasing Business Unit Damper Systems. I kept another Global Category Manager role in parallel (Ring Gears) for a bit more than a year until I was offered the VP position, which I am still holding.

What inspired you to take on a leadership role in advocating for diversity and equality in the automotive industry?

I was obviously coming from a very different background, originating from an industry where female leaders were already much more common, so I made it a top priority for me and my team. What I found was a team that was consisting of more than 50% female buyers, but not yet many were in a leadership position. I found that interesting, so I investigated why that is, and I found two things standing out: First, men had the much better network and it helped them in getting promotions faster. Second, many women just had doubts whether they could manage work, career and family at the same time and therefore would not apply for a position on display.

What do you think is holding the automotive industry back from achieving true gender parity?

I think it is a multiple of factors. There is still a gap coming from the universities, with men holding approximately 2/3 of certificates in STEM graduations, so there is a smaller talent pool of females than of men, as of now. I believe that we also need to keep working on our network — I keep reiterating this point, because I believe this is important. It has been a reality in this industry that leadership positions were given to "those we know", rather than to those we don't, and there are also studies about that. Visibility does count, there is no doubt about that.

On a positive, things are really changing for the better: there are career growth programmes dedicated to females, mentoring programmes and a growing consciousness for inclusion and how that really makes teams better. McKinsey has published great reports on that topic, and I do believe that we will grow slowly but steadily.

How do you support and empower other women in your organisation to achieve their career goals?

First, I founded the ETS Purchasing Women's Circle three years ago, where we meet quarterly, all females from my purchasing team are invited, and we also have guests from other divisions regularly. We have a two-step approach: during the day, we meet for two hours to discuss either a new upcoming business topic, or we have small working groups working on different topics and then presenting them to the group, or we invite in-house speakers for panel discussions. In the evening, we go for a networking dinner together. This is a well-established circle now, happening for the 11th time in September this year, and it is especially also something that can be done with a small budget in money and time.

Second, as the global executive sponsor of Women@Schaeffler, our employee community for females, I am also somewhat the face and go-to point for many women in the company. I am always trying to be the female voice in a group mainly consisting of men, and I am also sponsoring many of them, not only from my team but those that I did get to know over time. With the Women@Schaeffler community, we also organise panel discussions, leadership dialogues and events with our Board Members, and this does also help a lot to give better visibility for the topic. I have also mentees from my company (not all of them female) and will support them in their daily challenges.

What is your message to women looking to break into the automotive industry?

I know it can be intimidating to move into such a male-dominated industry, but it is really worth it. This is such an interesting sector with many possibilities to grow, and female networks are expanding. The situation today is already much better than it was 10 years ago, and I am convinced it will continue improving. Women offer a different set of strengths and a valuable perspective that is much needed in the automotive industry. Our thinking can challenge and help change long-established patterns, and that is something that I am really proud of.

"Women offer a different set of strengths and a valuable perspective that is much needed in the automotive industry."

— Manuela Körkel, Vice President Purchasing, Schaeffler

A few final questions

Thank you to Manuela Körkel for sharing her story, insights, and inspiration as part of our Inspirational Role Model series.

We'd like to thank Schaeffler, a proud Corporate Member of the Women Automotive Network, for their continued commitment to fostering inclusion and representation across the automotive sector.

About Schaeffler

Schaeffler is a leading global automotive and industrial supplier, developing and manufacturing precision components and systems for engine, transmission, and chassis applications, as well as solutions for renewable energy, industrial machinery, and aerospace. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Schaeffler employs around 120,000 people across more than 50 countries and works with virtually every major automotive manufacturer worldwide.

As the automotive industry transitions to electrification, Schaeffler is at the forefront of developing e-mobility solutions, including electric axle drives, thermal management systems, and components for hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

To learn more about Schaeffler