GAYATHRI KS
Dubai,UAE
Summary
Strategic HR leader with extensive experience managing end-to-end people and administration functions across large-scale FMCG, F&B, and automotive operations. Currently heading the HR and Administration function within a complex, large scale organization, partnering closely with senior leadership to drive workforce planning, cost optimization, HR transformation, and organizational scalability. Brings deep expertise in HR strategy, HRMS implementation, lean manpower planning, talent acquisition and development, succession planning, payroll governance, DEI analytics, and employee engagement. Known for building high-performing HR teams, delivering measurable cost efficiencies, and enabling sustainable business growth through robust, future-ready people frameworks, with a clear progression toward senior people leadership and succession readiness.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Assistant Manager – HR & Administration
Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products LLC
Dubai, UAE
06.2025 - Current
- Lead HR and Administration function for large-scale FMCG/F&B manufacturing organization, supporting multi-site operations including farm, plant, corporate HQ, and commercial teams, with workforce exceeding 500+ employees across frontline and white-collar roles.
- Act as strategic HR business partner to CEO, Finance, and Senior Leadership, contributing to business planning, manpower budgeting, cost optimization, and organizational scalability in alignment with annual and long-term business objectives.
- Designed and executed lean manpower planning and workforce optimization models, particularly for farm and operations functions, resulting in measurable cost savings and productivity improvement without compromising operational continuity.
- Led HR business planning and cost modelling initiatives, aligning manpower plans, payroll projections, and overhead optimization with financial targets and revenue growth plans.
- Successfully spearheaded end-to-end HRMS implementation, including vendor evaluation, process mapping, policy alignment, data migration, user training, and go-live support across Core HR, Payroll, Time & Attendance, and Leave Management modules.
- Drove succession planning and talent pipeline development for critical roles across operations, quality, commercial, and support functions, ensuring leadership continuity and reduced dependency on external hiring.
- Oversee end-to-end talent acquisition across technical, frontline, and leadership roles, including workforce planning, recruitment strategy, diversity analysis, and onboarding frameworks aligned with business and compliance requirements.
- Lead training, learning & OD initiatives, including capability assessments, role-based training needs analysis, leadership development planning, and functional upskilling programs to support organizational growth.
- Champion DEI and workforce analytics, conducting gender, nationality, and role-based diversity analysis to guide inclusive recruitment strategies and equitable workforce planning.
- Manage payroll governance, compensation structures, and benefits administration, ensuring accuracy, compliance with UAE labour laws, and alignment with internal cost-control measures.
- Drive employee engagement and internal communications initiatives, including town halls, cross-functional communication cascades, engagement calendars, and HR-led organizational events.
- Lead, mentor, and develop 15-member HR & Administration team, ensuring operational excellence, governance discipline, and readiness to scale HR systems and processes in line with business expansion.
- Strengthened HR governance, policies, SOPs, and compliance frameworks, ensuring audit-readiness, labour law adherence, and consistent HR practices across all business units.
- Serve as change leader, supporting organizational transformation initiatives, digitalization, and process standardization to build future-ready people function.
HR & Public Relations Manager
STANADYNE
Sharjah, UAE
09.2017 - 03.2025
- Developed and executed strategic talent acquisition strategies focused on hiring diverse, culturally aligned talent to drive business growth.
- Managed end-to-end employee relations processes, including grievance redressal, disciplinary actions, and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs).
- Led employee engagement initiatives including surveys, focus groups, and action planning, resulting in enhanced engagement scores and morale.
- Implemented succession planning frameworks and supported leadership transitions to ensure business continuity for key roles.
- Successfully executed long-term settlements and collaborated with trade unions while ensuring adherence to local labor laws and statutory compliance.
- Maintained and facilitated statutory committees including POSH, conducted domestic inquiries, and supported employees through grievance channels.
- Partnered with business leaders to optimize manpower utilization and led skills gap analyses to identify development needs across business.
- Conducted Training Needs Assessments (TNAs) and delivered targeted L&D programs using competency-based frameworks.
- Established detailed productivity norms during long-term settlements and ensured operational targets were met within manufacturing units.
- Designed and implemented MBO-based performance appraisal systems, ensuring SMART goal alignment and HR analytics-based talent reviews.
- Managed compensation and payroll administration for permanent and contract workers, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and internal equity.
- Oversaw attendance and leave management systems, serving as escalation point for employee concerns.
- Directed contract labor management processes, including hiring, statutory compliance, background verification, and performance tracking.
Human Resources Executive
INFAC
Chennai, India
07.2015 - 08.2017
- Managed recruitment, onboarding, training coordination, job evaluations, and role structuring.
- Created employee engagement programmes for improved workplace morale.
- Collaborated closely with department managers for successful manpower planning.
- Analysed complex HR data to identify trends and predict future needs.
- Conducted comprehensive market research for competitive salary benchmarking.
Education
MBA - HR Management
University of Madras
Chennai01.2018
Bachelor of Engineering - Electronics And Instrumentation
Anna University
Chennai05.2015
Skills
- Strategic Workforce Planning
- Talent Management & Succession Planning
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
- Employee Engagement & Retention
- Leadership Development
- Compensation & Benefits Strategy
- Organizational Development & Change Management
- HR Data Analytics & Decision Support
- Total Rewards & Market Benchmarking
- Performance Management & Employee Relations
- HR Policy Compliance & Labor Laws
- HR Information Systems & Digital Transformation
Certification
- SHRM-SCP, in progress
- Advanced Workforce Planning & Talent Analytics
Languages
English
Fluent
Hindi
Fluent
Malayalam
Native
Tamil
Advanced
Timeline
Assistant Manager – HR & Administration
Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products LLC
06.2025 - Current
HR & Public Relations Manager
STANADYNE
09.2017 - 03.2025
Human Resources Executive
INFAC
07.2015 - 08.2017
MBA - HR Management
University of Madras
Bachelor of Engineering - Electronics And Instrumentation
Anna University