Xavier Rajakumar

About Xavier Rajakumar

Senior Human Resources Leader with 20+ years of experience driving HR, IR, and ER transformation across multi-location manufacturing, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, engineering, IT/ITES, and e-commerce environments.Currently leading Corporate HR for Sami-Sabinsa Group, managing HR operations across 6 manufacturing units and the corporate office, overseeing 1,800+ employees, and partnering closely with senior leadership on business-led people strategy.Known for stabilizing complex industrial relations environments, executing long-term wage settlements, handling unions, disciplinary actions, litigation, strikes, gherao, VSS, and building high-trust employee relations frameworks while ensuring 100% statutory compliance.Proven expertise in HR transformation and digitalization, including implementation of HRMS with ATS, PMS, LMS, Time & Attendance, ESS systems, and using HR analytics to support leadership decision-making. Strong track record in talent acquisition, succession planning, leadership development, performance management, and manpower cost optimization.Adept at working in high-growth, regulated, and unionized environments, partnering with CXOs to align HR strategy with business goals, productivity, and culture.Open to: Head HR / HR Director roles IR & ER transformation assignments HR Business partner opportunities (manufacturing & regulated industries)

Experience

1. Senior Human Resources Manager

   Sami-Sabinsa Group Limited

   Nov 2024 — Present · Bangalore Urban, IN

   Leading Corporate HR for Sami-Sabinsa Group, managing HR operations across 6 manufacturing units and the Corporate Office, overseeing 1,800+ employees with a team of 13 HR professionals, reporting to the HR VP- Driving strategic HR, IR, and OD initiatives aligned with business growth, productivity, retention, and culture- Leading Industrial & Employee Relations across unionized and non-unionized environments, including wage negotiations, long-term settlements, disciplinary actions, litigation, audits, and complex IR situations- Spearheading HR digital transformation (HRMS, ATS, PMS, LMS, Time & Attendance)- Owning talent acquisition, manpower planning, succession planning, and leadership development- Driving performance management and high-performance culture through KRAs and appraisal processes- Partnering with leadership on manpower rationalization and cost optimization- Ensuring 100% statutory compliance across all units and managing HR budgets, payroll governance, and compensation frameworks.

Education

• University of Madras

  Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General

  1999 — 2003

• The ICFAI University

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General

  2014 — 2016