Career

Audi employees in the world - Barnabás Palavics

2026. 06. 29.

Through both his work and his lifestyle, Barnabás Palavics sets an example. He is driven by challenges and motivated by unexpected situations. While he could now feel at home in three different countries as a true global citizen, for some time he has defined “home” not by a place, but by a person. An interview from Wolfsburg – between demand and capacity, and between Toronto and Győr…

Where and how did you spend the years before your time at Audi?

I was born in Kaposvár, and shortly afterwards my family moved to Győr, where I completed my schooling. After graduating from Révai Miklós Gymnasium, my path led me to Corvinus University of Budapest, where I studied Finance and Accounting.

I was in my second year when my parents decided to continue their lives in Canada. Around that time, it became increasingly clear to me that I also needed a change, so I returned from the capital to Győr. There, I eventually earned my bachelor’s degree in commerce and marketing at Széchenyi István University.

Meanwhile, in 2014, I had the opportunity to join Audi Hungaria as an intern in the Finance department.

When you applied, did you already see the company as your future workplace?

Yes. During my internship in Finance, it became increasingly clear to me that I could imagine my future at Audi in the long term.

As fate would have it, when I started applying for jobs after graduation, there were several open dispatcher positions in Engine Logistics, and I was invited for an interview. Based on my studies in Commerce and Marketing, logistics seemed highly appealing to me.

That it turned out to be the right decision is also reflected in the fact that, alongside my work, I obtained a master’s degree in Logistics Management at the university in Győr.

How did your career at Audi Hungaria develop after that?

I worked as a dispatcher for nearly two years starting in spring 2015, after which I had the opportunity to join the program planning team within V6 series logistics.

In mechanical program planning, I was responsible for planning the production programs of the six-cylinder mechanical production lines. This required continuous coordination with the affected production lines, quick responses to changes in customer demand, and tracking the timely arrival of raw materials.

I really enjoyed the diversity and variety of the work, and maintaining contact with international suppliers also contributed greatly to improving my language skills.

Over time, in addition to program planning, demand and capacity management (BKM – Bedarfs- und Kapazitätsmanagement) also became part of my role. In this process, we analyze current and next-year customer demand and compare it with the available capacities.

I increasingly had to present the results of long-term optimization processes to German managers, which not only supported my professional development but also strengthened my confidence.

How did the opportunity for the international assignment come about?

During my performance reviews, I indicated that I would be interested in taking on an international assignment. Since my family was living in Toronto, it would not have been a particular challenge for me to work outside of Hungary.

In the spring of 2019, I had a successful interview in Wolfsburg, which allowed my assignment to begin on January 1, 2020.

Why did you take on the assignment? What attracted you to it?

What attracted me most was the challenge and the opportunity to experience something new. And of course, I had always wanted to work abroad.

What are you most proud of from your career in Győr?

I am most proud of how much I have achieved step by step, and of always seeing opportunities in every challenge. Since my family moved to Canada in 2011, it has, perhaps unconsciously, become clear to me that I primarily have to rely on myself.

At the same time, I am a team player—not only in sports, where I played basketball at club level for 12 years, but also at work. From my very first day at the company, I tried to contribute to every task and to build strong working relationships through mutual support — relationships I can still count on today.

I am equally proud of this, as well as of the fact that my German language skills, which I began developing in high school, have significantly strengthened here.

It’s clear that challenges drive you — but what motivates you in your work?

New things and unexpected situations. I really enjoy it when something deviates from established processes and a quick solution is needed.

I am also inspired by the idea that, through my attitude, I can motivate others at work, and that through continuous learning and a focus on a healthy lifestyle, I can set an example in everyday life as well.

Live in a way that sets an example for others!

What was it like starting work in Wolfsburg under the shadow of COVID?

It was an advantage that a colleague from the logistics area in Győr had worked in Wolfsburg before me, laying the foundation for a strong connection between the two teams. I tried to get to know the factory complex, with its 65,000 employees, as quickly as possible — almost as if I sensed I wouldn’t have much time to settle into my new life.

Three months after my arrival, the world essentially shut down. I found myself alone in my apartment, working from home. For quite some time, I was unable to travel to Hungary, and when it finally became possible, I spent two weeks in quarantine at my grandparents’ home.

It was a mentally challenging period, but at the same time, it gave me the opportunity to get to know myself even better. My love of reading also helped me through this time. As a principle, I try to dedicate about half an hour to reading every day.

I usually read two or three books at the same time — in English, German, and Hungarian.

What role did you take on in Wolfsburg? Where do you currently work, and what are your daily responsibilities?

I continued working in demand and capacity analysis, but here I was no longer responsible for a single local production line; instead, I covered the entire European cylinder head production of the Group. After two years, I essentially took on the same responsibility for electric powertrains.

In this role, I frequently had to present highly critical topics to brand-level management—experiences from which I learned a great deal. Among other things, I learned that if I have the knowledge and the numbers support me, I can stand up honestly and confidently in front of senior leaders, with whom we ultimately share the same goal: finding a solution to the problem at hand.

This period lasted two years and was followed by an assistant role, which helped prepare me for my current position as a coordinator. Since last year, I have been coordinating a six-person team responsible for the supply of transmissions and electric powertrains in Europe. It is an exciting role that brings new challenges.

What is your relationship like with your colleagues there?

I will never forget that although they barely knew me, during the COVID period they still showed remarkable care and attention towards me. They regularly reached out to me online, and once “the world reopened,” they frequently invited me to meet in person.

The stereotype that Germans tend to be more distant completely disappeared during a time when physical distance was mandatory. Genuine friendships developed with my colleagues, which may be surprising given that, in my early thirties, I was one of the youngest members of the team.

From the very beginning, they appreciated my openness as well as my professional knowledge — which, in a way, was also expected. Audi Hungaria is clearly considered a benchmark in demand and capacity planning, and the work carried out in Győr is regarded as exemplary in this field.

In your opinion, which personal and professional qualities are essential for succeeding during an international assignment?

Courage is extremely important. Without it, we can easily become obstacles to ourselves. In many cases, success depends on whether we can overcome negative thoughts and doubts in our minds.

Of course, professional knowledge is also necessary, but everything can be learned with the right attitude and perseverance. In addition, adaptability is essential, as unexpected situations can arise at any time.
 

How do you spend your free time?

Sport continues to play a key role in my life. My new passion is CrossFit, around which I have also built a new circle of friends.

And speaking of passion… I met my German partner here four years ago, and we have been living together ever since. As we both enjoy active relaxation, we spend a lot of time hiking. For example, we spent four days hiking in Austria over Easter.

In the surrounding area, the Harz Mountains are one of our favourite destinations, as is Hamburg. We especially love the canal-lined city centre of Germany’s second-largest city, as well as its restaurants.

This summer, we are planning a road trip through Northern Europe. Of course, I also make time for my friends in Hungary: every year we go snowboarding in France, and I never miss long summer weekends at Lake Balaton with them.

Could you imagine continuing to live abroad after your assignment ends?

I can absolutely imagine living abroad in the long term - even continuing in Wolfsburg, as I am attracted by both the role and the environment. I often reflect on where “home” really is. I was 20 when my parents moved to Canada, and I have now been living in Germany for six years, while my grandparents and cousins still live in Hungary, where I grew up. At times, I feel like I have three homes, and that my life is a continuous sequence of farewells and arrivals.

At other times, I feel that I don’t have just one home, because I feel at home everywhere - I see myself more as a global citizen. However, by now, building a shared life and planning the future together with my partner has become the priority. So, in the end, my home is wherever she is.

Back to the previous page