Smitha Sankangoudar

Accomplished HR leader with two decades of experience in leading organizational transformation through strategic HR initiatives. Proficient in increasing employee engagement and retention through innovative talent management strategies. Strong background in data-driven decision-making for HR practices and cultivating leadership at all levels. Committed to establishing a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in human resources.

• Director HR – Flipkart Directing Corporate functions to enhance operational efficiencies and strategic alignment.
• Sr. HR Director - KPIT Technologies, Leading HR initiatives across Bangalore and Chennai to drive organizational effectiveness and employee engagement.
• Sr. HR Manager - Honeywell, Revitalizing HR Strategies to enhance employee motivation, development and retention across business units and locations.

Culture Reboot Project

Led a large-scale organizational culture transformation, diagnosing systemic challenges and driving strategic interventions. Secured leadership sponsorship and established culture champions across Flipkart and KPIT, fostering a culture of alignment, agility, and accountability.

‘HER’ Program

Conceptualized and launched the HER program, achieving a 100% reduction in female attrition (from 15% in 2022 to 0% in 2023). Fostered inclusivity, advanced retention strategies, and positioned the organization as an employer of choice for diverse talent.

Global HR Leadership & Impact

Directed enterprise-wide HR initiatives across multiple geographies, ensuring seamless integration of regional needs with global priorities. Championed people strategies that elevated organizational effectiveness and strengthened global leadership capability.

LEADX Forum

Designed and institutionalized the LEADX Forum, significantly enhancing leadership engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and alignment of executive priorities across organizational tiers.

Job Rotation Framework

Developed and implemented a comprehensive job rotation framework that reduced attrition from 31.5% in 2022 to 18% in 2023. Enhanced career mobility, workforce agility, and leadership pipeline readiness through structured talent management practices.

Management Resource Review

Introduced the Management Resource Review (MRR) as a strategic succession planning tool, improving leadership depth from 0% to 20% ready successors at middle management levels. Established a robust leadership bench for future growth.

“One Finance” People Strategy

Devised and executed a unified people strategy for the Finance function, covering talent management, engagement, and leadership development. Key initiatives included Career Fest, CFO-Building Programs, Future-fit Talent Development, and targeted job rotations to strengthen organizational capability.

Honeywell Operating System (HOS)

Led organizational design and end-to-end change management for the Honeywell Operating System. Streamlined structures by reducing management layers from 5 to 4, while reducing attrition from 26.4% to 14%, resulting in improved efficiency and talent retention.

OD Interventions

• Designed and delivered a Managerial Coaching Series to enhance leadership effectiveness.
• Rolled out a New Manager Effectiveness Program to accelerate early leadership success.
• Introduced Chrysallis, a post-joining engagement initiative to strengthen employee assimilation.
• Conducted Role Satisfaction Surveys for senior leaders, shaping retention and engagement strategies.

• Coaching Certification, Erickson International, 2019-2020
• CB5 Certified, Knowledge Consultant, 2021
• Transactional Analysis (TA) 101 Certified
• Competent Communicator, Toastmasters International
• Six Sigma Green Belt Core Certification
• ISB Certification on Leadership with AI