Vinod Rai joins Shahi Exports as group head-HR

Vinod Rai, former CHRO, Orient Papers and Industries, has joined Shahi Exports as its new group head-HR. With over two decades of experience in leading organisations, Rai brings a wealth of expertise across the HR domain.

His expertise lies in HR transformation, building industrial relations capability, enhancing employee engagement, retaining key talent, attracting a flexible workforce and driving HR digitisation initiatives.

Rai embarked on his career in 1994 as an assistant manager at Panacea Biotech, where he dedicated five years of service. In 1999, he joined another prominent pharmaceutical organisation as manager – HR (sales), and subsequently advanced to the position of senior manager – HR (compensation and benefits).

His next stop was Jubilant Life Sciences, where he served as the head of business HR and talent acquisition for four years. However, his longest stint was with Maruti Suzuki India, where he joined as the deputy general manager (head), talent acquisition. He was then elevated to general manager (head) of HR, for supply chain and plant HR.

From 2017 onwards, he held the position of head – human resources, Maruti Suzuki. His stint with Maruti lasted over 12 and a half years.

In his new role as G-CHRO, Shahi Exports, Rai’s primary focus will be on revamping and transforming the HR policies to align with the expectations of the younger generation. “The goal is to develop strategies that will help retain and attract talent, thereby providing the company with a competitive advantage,” he says in an exclusive conversation with HRKatha.

Shahi Exports is among India’s largest apparel manufacturing organisations, with a workforce exceeding 1,00,000 employees, of which 70 per cent are women. The company operates across eight states, managing over 50 factories and three extensive processing mills. Rai will head the entire HR function for the Group, comprising three large businesses and will directly report to the chairman and the board.

“My priorities as group HR Head includes HR transformation, capability building and digitisation, among other key initiatives,” shares Rai.