​​​With plenty of international and management experience under her belt, Mary-Anne Krasemann took over as Head of Electronics Purchasing on October 1, 2022. In this role, she also became a member of the Electronics Executive Board, the first woman to serve on this Board.​

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​​Whether Romania or China – Mary-Anne Krasemann has spent a large part of her private and professional life abroad. Most recently, she was responsible for HELLA's electronics production for the Asia/Pacific region in Shanghai. On October 1, 2022, she moved to the head office in Lippstadt to take over as head of global electronics purchasing. This marks a return to her professional roots. A conversation about change, team spirit and the Berlin dialect.​

Ms. Krasemann, what five keywords would you use to describe yourself?

​I am an optimistic person and interested in many things. But when I tackle something, I'm also very disciplined and want to get things done. Fairness is also very important to me - especially toward my colleagues. I am also said to have humour and to radiate bliss.

Bliss - this term is used rarely in Germany. The description certainly comes from your colleagues in China, doesn't it?​

Yes, indeed. But what they mean by it is that I seem to radiate a certain calmness and that there is always a smile on my face. When saying goodbye, my colleagues told me that my laughter would remain in their memories. I am pleased that they will not only remember me positively in my professional capacity, but also as a human being.

​​How would you describe your career so far?

As a string of great opportunities. I often said 'yes' when I was offered a career change. After my management studies in Reutlingen, I joined Marquardt Switches as a trainee in purchasing and thus got into project management and to China. I got to know HELLA through a project. In 2013, I was given the opportunity to start working for HELLA in Romania at the Product Center Components. After two years, I was offered the opportunity to set up the components business in Xiamen, China: I knew the technologies, the colleagues, projects and customers. So, in 2016, I moved to the actuators program management in Xiamen. After just under a year, I was asked if I could take over the post of General Manager for Xiamen on an interim basis. I really enjoyed this job: the team is fantastic and the tasks were varied. I was pleased when I was offered the position on a permanent basis. I then was in that position for three and a half years. The sale of the relay business also happened during this time.​​

At the time, HELLA sold its existing relay business to the Chinese relay manufacturer Hongfa. Certainly not an easy time.​

Yes, indeed. It was an emotional challenge, because for me it was about my colleagues and their families. During this time, I was already offered the job of managing HELLA's electronics production for the Asia/Pacific region, but the timing was not right for me. I wanted to stay with my team and see the sale of the relay business through to the end. I was then offered the position of Head of Regional Operations APAC again, which I was very pleased about. And so from 2021 until recently, I ran the division out of Shanghai.​​

You have been in China for the last six years. A long time. What motivated you now to move to the company headquarters in Lippstadt?​

After so many years abroad, I am happy to be back in my home country and thus closer to my family. That's why I didn't hesitate for long when I was offered the management of electronics purchasing. For me, this is also a step back to my professional roots. I spent my time as a trainee in this area. Later, of course, there were also points of contact with purchasing in my other positions - from project management to critical supplier situations to negotiations.​

What can employees expect when working with you?

​I am very open and appreciate direct feedback. It is also important to me that employees play an active role. The challenges in purchasing are well known; everyone can help shape the solutions. But concrete proposals are needed to move forward. This shows that teamwork is important to me. We are a team with very different topics and expertise. Together we can make a difference and that's what I enjoy.

​​Finally, what information about you is not found on your CV?

​I was born in East Berlin, which will surprise many. I'm from Berlin but don't use the typical dialect, so to say (laughs).