Shaping Porsche: the buyer

The karate expert living his dream at Porsche

March 2, 2026 | 6 min read

Composite image of a male Porsche worker with a Porsche steering wheel and person doing a karate move in the background

17 years into his career at Porsche, karate expert Ken Sato has risen from an intern to a buyer in the Motorsport department

Porsche is a brand that started from a dream. Our founder Ferry Porsche had a desire to do things differently. Since then, dreams have continued to drive us forwards.

Shaping Porsche is a celebration of just some of the people chasing big dreams. In this episode, we head into the motorsport procurement department, which bridges the relationship between the engineering and project teams, and external partners and suppliers. Within the highly competitive world of motorsport, the decisions made in procurement can be the difference between winning and losing.

For Ken Sato, who works in procurement for Porsche Motorsport, winning is in his blood. The karate expert has developed skills that guide him professionally and personally to achieve big dreams.

Ken, what do you do at Porsche?

“I work in procurement at Porsche Motorsport and I’m responsible for chassis components. As a buyer, my main task is to ensure that we have stable and competitive market-based prices and to make sure that the parts arrive on time in the required quality. I work closely with our engineering and project teams, as well as in direct exchange with our external partners and suppliers. I started in 2008 as an intern in serial procurement and I’m still truly grateful to Porsche for believing in me and giving me that first chance to start my Porsche journey. Now my Porsche journey is restarting with this new role in the Porsche Motorsport department and I can’t wait to see where the future takes me.”

What’s it like working at Porsche?

“Working at Porsche makes me feel proud to be able to support our Motorsport Racing Team so they have all parts they need for their cars to hopefully win the race and, at the same, to fulfil the dreams of our customers. The Porsche Motorsport team is really unique. Everyone is super passionate and driven and we’re all pulling in the same direction with a mission to win. This winning mindset is something that I really connect with from my life competing in karate.”

Man wearing a suit standing in front of Porsche Macan — Before joining the Motorsport team as a buyer, Ken Sato worked in the procurement department for the Porsche Cayenne and Macan Photo: Porsche

Why is working at Porsche your dream job?

“Actually I already had a dream job before – in the SUV project procurement working on great vehicles like the Macan, with a great team, fantastic colleagues and managers. I truly enjoyed that time over the last 13 years. I was able to contribute a lot and grow both professionally and personally. Hemmingen also has a very special place in my heart, not just because of my professional experience, but also because I met my wife there – and today we have two wonderful sons.”

What’s the best thing about working at Porsche?

“The best thing about working at Porsche is definitely the balance between high performance and personal wellbeing. Work-life balance is very important to me – especially with a full-time job and a family. One thing I truly appreciate at Porsche is the flexibility. I can organise my day in a way that works, whether that’s my karate training early in the morning, taking care of my kids when they are sick or working from home when something else comes up.

“And on days when my motivation needs an extra boost, simply walking around the campus or seeing a Porsche on the road is enough to remind me of the passion behind this brand. When I pass by the Porsche Museum or see children standing around a Porsche, I feel proud and happy. It really makes me realise how fortunate I am to work for such an incredible company.

“Additionally, Porsche offers opportunities to experience the brand beyond the office – like a recent trip I took to the six-hour race in Spa. This was a new experience for me, as I’ve never attended a motorsport event before. Being part of these events and seeing the cars in action really brings the energy of the brand to life.”

Man wearing a karate gi performing a karate move — Ken Sato has trained in karate since the age of 14 and is now a third-dan black belt Photo: Porsche

What motivates you each day?

“The wish to always get better and be part of something that stands for excellence. At Porsche, we always try to give our best – in the cars we build and in the way we work as a team. It feels great to see that my work helps Porsche succeed. It’s also motivating when my work is valued by my team and my managers. This kind of feedback is very powerful.

“I bring that same mindset from my background as a competitive athlete and especially from karate: always try your best, keep going especially when it gets tough, show respect and discipline and never give up. There is also a Japanese phrase – Nana korobi ya oki – that means “fall seven times, stand up eight”. That keeps me motivated.

Where does your Porsche passion come from?

“My passion for Porsche comes from its legendary history and the vision of Ferdinand Porsche, a man who had a dream and turned this into the most legendary sportscar company in the world.

“From the beginning, I knew I could only work for a company I truly identify with and Porsche was always that company for me.

“For me it’s what Porsche stands for: performance, elegance, sportiness and innovation, but also the focus on people. At Porsche, it’s not just about the product. It’s also about caring for the people who create it. Throughout my time here, I’ve always found someone willing to listen when I had a concern or problem. That really makes a big difference.”

Man wearing a suit at the wheel of a Porsche Macan — As a child, Ken Sato says he dreamed of being a Power Ranger Photo: Porsche

What are your earliest Porsche memories?

“As a kid, I always thought Porsche was cool, but to be honest I mostly wanted to become a Power Ranger.

“My real Porsche passion started later when I read about the Porsche history and also when I had the chance to drive one. The first time I drove a Porsche was a very special moment. A good friend of mine had a 911 (type 964), and he told me: ‘If you get a full-time position at Porsche, I'll let you drive it for a weekend.’ When I got the job, he kept his promise and I drove the 964 for a whole weekend. It was an unforgettable experience.

“Later, I also had the chance to drive a modern 911 Carrera on a business trip and that was another highlight. It showed me how far the technology has come, but the emotion and character of the car are still the same. And of course, receiving my first Porsche company car as part of a leasing program was a very proud moment for me as well.”

You’re a karate expert. How does that fit into your life at Porsche?

“One thing I really value at Porsche is the flexibility. It allows me to organise my day in a way that I can still follow my personal passions, especially martial arts.

“I used to compete professionally in karate and was part of the national team. Today, I still train almost every day, usually before work, at 5.15am. It keeps me focused, disciplined, and mentally strong.

“This routine also inspired me to start sharing my journey on social media. Today, I have quite a big following across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. I use my platforms to motivate others and to show that it’s possible to stay active, positive and balanced, even with a demanding job and family life.

“I’m thankful that Porsche supports this lifestyle and gives me the flexibility to live it. And maybe, through my content, I can also give something back. I’m proud to represent the procurement department and hope I can inspire others to see what's possible when passion meets opportunity.”

Discover how Ken shapes the future of Porsche

Composite image of a woman Porsche worker with a Porsche Taycan and rainbow flag in the background

Shaping Porsche: the planner

With a 20-year career at Porsche, Stefanie Klaue is now retraining in IT and automation

Composite CGI image of a Porsche employee working in Esports

Shaping Porsche: the gaming and Esports manager

From Rocket League to Overwatch 2, Gran Turismo to Fortnite, as Project Manager for games and Esports partnerships at Porsche, former world champion gamer Niklas Krellenberg looks after brand partnerships with some of the biggest titles in the industry

Composite CGI image of Porsche employee working in software development

Shaping Porsche: the software developer

Matthias Falkenberg is heavily involved in working on software like the My Porsche app, but also uses systemic coaching and Neuro-Linguistic Programming, learnt outside work, to help him develop his mentoring and outreach responsibilities