Hi, I’m
Sarma Chillara
Chief Human Resource Officer
Pune,Maharashtra
Summary
Experienced CHRO and Board Member with 20+ years of experience in the Asia-Pacific region across Retail, IT, BFSI, and Manufacturing industries. Successfully led HR initiatives for 10,000+ employees in a $4B+ business scope across 6 countries. Proven track record of building HR departments from scratch in greenfield projects and M&A environments. Recognized as a Top 25 HR Leader, Top Employer, and recipient of Great Place to Work accolades. Trusted jury member, advisor, and mentor for prestigious publications and organizations such as ET, Business World, Jombay, and People Matters.
Overview
19
years of professional experience
6
years of post-secondary education
4
Certifications
4
Languages
Work History
Volkswagen GroupPune
Chief Human Resource Officer and Member of the Board – Region India
01.2021 - Current
Job overview
- Heading HR, IR, Admin, Security, Safety, CSR & Medical for Volkswagen Group Region India across Production, All brands (Sales, Marketing & Service), R&D and Support functions. (India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal)
- APAC: led for compensation, performance management systems & SAP implementation
- Working in a complex matrix environment - multiple stakeholders globally & locally, a workforce of 8000 employees, for ~ $ 4 bn business
- Running the succession planning, compensation, job rotation and career development for all leadership positions
- Working extensively on creating a inclusive workplace and driving the DEI agenda across the company
- Extensive work being done together with IT on digitalizing HR processes and built an HR application
- Responsible for maintaining structure costs and personnel costs. Hands on experience in restructuring company - downsized employee strength by 15%
- Compensation benchmarking, designing variable pay, job grading, managing compensation reviews and benefits across organization
- Handled 4 wage negotiations. Managing 2 plants and 4 regional warehouses maintaining cordial IR relations
- Managing career progression for Impats and Expats across geographies – 60 plus expatriates
- Future of work – Successful implementation of modern office concept, modern infrastructure across all locations
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant standards and guidelines.
Volkswagen Group
Head HR (Sales, Marketing & Service)
04.2018 - 12.2020
Job overview
- Roles & Responsibilities ( Team size: XX)
- Key Achievements
- Xxx
- Xxx
- Xxx
- Xxx
Volkswagen GroupMumbai
Lead HR
02.2012 - 03.2018
Job overview
- Roles & Responsibilities ( Team size: XX)
- Key Achievements
- Xxx
- Xxx
- Xxx
- Xxx
Boston Consulting Group
Team Leader - Human Resource
06.2011 - 12.2011
Job overview
- Heading campus (National + International) and lateral recruitment for BCG – India
- Responsible for conducting employee satisfaction survey
- Staffing and headcount utilization and manpower analysis
- Xxx
- Xxx
CITI / TCS e - Serve
Manager – HR
03.2008 - 06.2011
Job overview
- Head HR for Citigroup’s Analytics (Risk & Market analytics division) – responsibility of 600+ employees
- Responsible to grow the analytics division from 105 to 625 employees and set up the KPO division for Citi
- Managing end of end recruitments - campus & lateral Recruitment, employee grievances and engagement activities
- Implementation of total rewards and designing the compensation framework for analytics division
- Was identified as one of the HR leads by Citi during the merger with TCS, led the successful integration of both companies - minimizing disruptions and achieving synergies with respect to people, HR processes, policies and systems.
- Was sent for a 10-month assignment to Manila to set up BPO for APAC region
- Xxx
- Xxx
Future Group
Senior Executive – HR (Recruitment Lead – West Zone)
06.2006 - 03.2008
Job overview
- Single point of contact for recruitment, training, blue collared workers for the new store set up for western region across all formats (Big Bazaar, Pantaloon, Food Bazaar, Brand Factory, Central and many more)
- Scaled up over 45 stores together with the new projects team
- Hired 7000+ employees over a period of 2 years for new stores, trained and front ending the store staff before handing over to respective store HR.
- Introduced flexi time, temp staffing and worked on detailed manpower planning
- Handled Blue collared issues, labor offices, statutory compliances for Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh & Goa
- Xxx
- Xxx
Education
Ross Business SchoolMichigan
Advanced HR Executive Program from Human Resources Development
01.2023 - 12.2023
Wharton Business SchoolPhiladelphia
CHRO Program from Human Resources Development
12.2021 - 09.2022
Welingkar Institute of ManagementMumbai
MBA from Human Resources
07.2004 - 07.2006
M.L. Dahanukar CollegeMumbai
Bachelor of Commerce from Commerce
08.2000 - 06.2003
Skills
Public speaking
Accomplishments
•2021
•"40 Under 40” by Business World
•40 Under 40" by Jombay
•2022
•Emerging Leader” by Economic Times
•Top 100 HR Leaders” by White Page International
•2023
•Top 25 HR leaders by HRAI
•2024
•
•2025
•Top 25 HR leaders by HRAI
Professional Journey
- 01/21 - Present, CHRO | Member of The Board – Region India
- 04/18 - 12/20, HR Head (Sales & Marketing)
- 02/12 - 03/18, HR Lead
- 06/11 - 12/11, Team Leader
- 03/08 - 06/11, Manager HR
- 06/06 - 03/08, Senior Executive HR
Strategic Advisory And Industry Engagements
- Board Member – Mahindra International School
- Academic Board – Welingkar Institute of Management
- Jury & Mentor – Economic Times, Business World, Jombay, People Matters
Certification
Job Evaluation – Certified by Hay Group
Key Highlights
- Employer Branding & Certifications: Led initiatives that earned ‘Top Employer’, ‘Great Place to Work’, ‘CII Top Companies’, and ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia’ recognitions.
- Digital HR & Tech Enablement: Launched proprietary HR app, deployed AI for attrition modeling, automated analytics, and introduced intelligent hiring dashboards.
- Diversity & Inclusion: Focused on diverse hiring practices, including underrepresented groups and candidates from varied backgrounds, resulting in an increase in gender diversity from 8% to 14% over four years. Launched multiple DEI-focused programs and trainings such as unconscious bias and inclusive leadership workshops. Additionally, formed employee resource groups (ERGs), facilitated social inclusion events, and introduced the Women Drive initiative (4-wheeler driving lessons).
- M&A and Business Expansion: Consolidated Volkswagen Group entities in India, integrated Citi business into TCS, expanded TCS e-Serve in the Philippines, and launched Aftersales for Porsche, Lamborghini, and Bentley.
- Leadership Development & Succession: Designed career architecture and optimized structures to drive holistic employee development across all levels.
- Union Relations: Built strong labor relations through multiple peaceful settlements and collaborative engagement strategies.
Timeline
Ross Business School
Advanced HR Executive Program from Human Resources Development
01.2023 - 12.2023
Wharton Business School
CHRO Program from Human Resources Development
12.2021 - 09.2022
Chief Human Resource Officer and Member of the Board – Region India
Volkswagen Group
01.2021 - Current
Head HR (Sales, Marketing & Service)
Volkswagen Group
04.2018 - 12.2020
Lead HR
Volkswagen Group
02.2012 - 03.2018
Team Leader - Human Resource
Boston Consulting Group
06.2011 - 12.2011
Manager – HR
CITI / TCS e - Serve
03.2008 - 06.2011
Senior Executive – HR (Recruitment Lead – West Zone)
Future Group
06.2006 - 03.2008
Welingkar Institute of Management
MBA from Human Resources
07.2004 - 07.2006
M.L. Dahanukar College
Bachelor of Commerce from Commerce
08.2000 - 06.2003
Similar Profiles
Jesus Alonso GarciaJesus Alonso Garcia
Apprentice Mechanic at Volkswagen GroupApprentice Mechanic at Volkswagen Group
Pritam ShindePritam Shinde
AWS Developer at Volkswagen GroupAWS Developer at Volkswagen Group
Justin StephensJustin Stephens
Team Member at Volkswagen Group of AmericaTeam Member at Volkswagen Group of America
JAGRATI REWADIKARJAGRATI REWADIKAR
Service Delivery Ops Analyst at AccentureService Delivery Ops Analyst at Accenture
Ishani BhattacharyaIshani Bhattacharya
Executive Assistant at BNY MELLONExecutive Assistant at BNY MELLON