In the final interview in our International Women’s Day interview series we spoke to Edit Tarcolea, Managing Director in Romania, about #Inspireinclusion and her professional journey in the automotive industry.

“While I haven’t felt held back by the fact that I’m a woman, I know that not all women have the same experience in this industry. It’s important to acknowledge and challenge the outdated perception that it’s a field only for men”.

Can you tell us about your journey in the automotive sector so far?

I joined Toyota Romania in 2012 as Finance Director. Previously, I worked in various industries, including Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Financial Services, Banking and Pharma. I also performed many different roles, ranging from finance-related positions to general management. My diverse experience was a significant advantage that enabled me to adapt quickly to the automotive industry.

I joined Toyota at a challenging time when the industry was struggling. During this period, the market dropped 85%, and it never really recovered. As Finance Director, I proactively supported the business by working to restructure its dealer network.

Later, in 2016, I became the General Manager of Toyota Romania and embarked on a major business turnaround. Before this, the company was selling 3,200 cars, reaching EUR 60 million in turnover and EUR 2 million in Profit Before Tax (PBT). By the end of the year, the company had sold 13,600 units, achieving EUR 400 million turnover and EUR 40 million PBT.

We needed to overcome multiple challenges during the turnaround, and I had to engage with practically every aspect of the business. HR was the priority. We restructured non-performing assets, recruited new staff for managerial roles, and started building high-performing teams. The next step was to change the dealer network business model and the commercial approach. Last but not least, we examined operations, costs, procurement policies, work environment and every component that contributes to the business’s success. It required a lot of teamwork, and success was undoubtedly a team achievement.

While I haven’t felt held back by the fact that I’m a woman, I am aware that not all women have the same experience in this industry. Acknowledging and challenging the outdated perception that it’s a field only for men is essential.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. What does this mean to you? How can we, as individuals and organisations, foster a more inclusive environment for women?

First and foremost, inclusion means being tolerant and accepting every person as they are. In our company, competencies, capabilities, and their contribution to the organisation’s success are essential. Otherwise, every individual’s preferences are their business, and we respect them. This is particularly true for women. We need to be given the opportunities to excel and demonstrate that our capabilities and contributions matter more than gender. The more women who get that opportunity, the more we show that this industry isn’t just for men.

Do you have any tips and strategies for balancing work and personal priorities while maintaining well-being?

Prioritisation is crucial to good performance and better work-life balance. There are always competing priorities and deadlines, but we can rank them, stay focused on what matters, and reschedule the less critical issues. In my personal life, I’m fortunate as my family is supportive. I’m really close to my mother and she assists me in many different ways, providing emotional and practical support as I pursue my career.

What inspiring message would you like to share with other women on International Women’s Day?

I firmly believe women are highly capable business leaders. In many cases, the major obstacle is that they have to choose between a career and taking care of a family. In an ideal world, this wouldn’t be the case and spouses would share responsibilities. My advice to any woman aspiring to a leadership position would be to develop and utilise strong support networks, as they can take a lot of pressure off when things get tough and provide more balance in your life.

A big thank you to Edit for taking time out for this interview and providing us with a fascinating account of her journey and thought-provoking insights into inclusion in the workplace. If you have yet to check out the other posts in our #InspireInclusion series, please do, as they feature some wonderfully inspiring and insightful female voices.

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