Gautam Saraf

CEO

Gurugram, Haryana, India19 yrs 10 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Over 20 years of HR leadership experience.
Expert in organizational transformation and talent strategy.
Passionate about building people-centric ecosystems.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a seasoned HR leader specializing in retail and hospitality sectors.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Hr StrategyOrganizational DevelopmentTalent ManagementEmployee RelationsTalent DevelopmentHr OperationsBusiness Strategy

Other Skills

Audit ReportsBrand BuildingBusiness AdministrationBusiness PlanningCRMCoachingCommunicationCommunication TrainingCompensationConflict ResolutionCultural EvolutionCustomer Relationship Management (CRM)Customer SatisfactionCustomer ServiceDevelopment Programs

About

With over two decades of diverse HR leadership across retail, hospitality, and service sectors, I believe that people are the greatest enablers of sustainable business growth. I currently serve as the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Ferns N Petals, where I lead organizational transformation, talent strategy, and cultural evolution across a network of 400+ outlets. Throughout my journey—with organizations like Colorbar Cosmetics, 24Seven Retail, VFS Global, Yum! Brands, and McDonald’s India—I’ve had the opportunity to scale businesses through innovative HR practices, workforce empowerment, and building future-ready leadership pipelines. My passion lies in designing people-centric ecosystems that foster performance, inclusion, and purpose. I bring a unique blend of HR strategy, operational excellence, and business acumen, backed by a Postgraduate Diploma in HRM from XLRI Jamshedpur. Recognized for driving high-impact change, I am committed to creating cultures where people thrive, and organizations excel.

Experience

19 yrs 10 mos

Total Experience

3 yrs 11 mos

Average Tenure

4 yrs 7 mos

Current Experience

Fnp

Global Chief Human Resource Officer

Nov 2021 – Present · 4 yrs 7 mos · Gurugram, Haryana, India

Managing the largest omnichannel business which is a combination of 400+ retail stores and an e-commerce spread across countries in India, the Middle East and Singapore.

HR TransformationOrganizational DesignTalent StrategyCultural EvolutionHR StrategyOrganizational Development

Godfrey phillips india limited

Head HR - Colorbar Cosmetics & 24Seven Retail

Nov 2017 – Nov 2021 · 4 yrs · New Delhi Area, India · On-site

Working as Head HR for Godfrey Phillips India Ltd for New Business Development vertical managing the entire gamut of employee life cycle for the Leading Cosmetic company Colorbar USA, 24Seven Retail Stores and Modicare Foundation.
The 24SEVEN Convenience Stores are one of India’s premiere and Delhi/NCR, Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula only organised retail chain in the ‘round-the-clock’ convenience store format. The store chain offers its customers an international shopping experience; offering variety of products and services.
These stores provide a means to the young working populous with new and more comfortable options that meet their requirement and also those of the modern Indian culture.
Currently the chain has 90+ outlets in Delhi-NCR at key locations and in the next 5 years with a strategic tie up with Indian Oil Company, the chain is going to expand across India with over a 500 stores.

Employee Life CycleNew Business DevelopmentHR PoliciesTalent AcquisitionHR StrategyTalent Management

Vfs global

Regional HR Head - South Asia

Apr 2016 – Aug 2017 · 1 yr 4 mos · New Delhi Area, India

Managing the entire HR gamut for South Asia region i.e India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

HR ManagementRegional HR StrategyEmployee EngagementHR StrategyEmployee Relations

Yum! brands

3 roles

Head - Corporate HR, C&B & Center of Excellence

Jan 2015 – Apr 2016 · 1 yr 3 mos

Sr. Regional Human Resource Manager - North & Central India

Promoted

Feb 2012 – Dec 2014 · 2 yrs 10 mos

Regional Manager - Staffing, Human Resource

Dec 2010 – Feb 2012 · 1 yr 2 mos

Mcdonald's india (hardcastle restaurants pvt. ltd.)

3 roles

Regional Head People Resource (HR & Training), South India

Promoted

Apr 2008 – Dec 2010 · 2 yrs 8 mos

Job Profile - Driving all functions related to People Resources in the South India which identifying the specific market plans and executing of the same.
Responsible for creating and implementing various HR plans for recruitment, training, performance Mgmt and Reward recognition.

RecruitmentTraining ManagementPerformance ManagementTalent DevelopmentHR Strategy

Operation Consultant

Oct 2007 – Apr 2008 · 6 mos

Profile - Managing entire Operation for all McDonalds Restaurant located in Madhya Pradesh.
Designation - Operation Consultant
Locations - Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Operations ManagementStaffingHR ConsultingHR OperationsBusiness Strategy