Pradeepkumar Karkera

Accomplished HR professional with 25+ years of progressive leadership in aviation and airport services. Proven ability to lead HR operations for 2,500+ employees, drive performance management, manage industrial relations and unions, and deliver regulatory compliance and business continuity during crises. Data-driven, commercially aware, and skilled at translating people strategy into measurable business outcomes.

Recognised for building high-performance cultures and leading HR operations with a strong people-centric approach.

Senior Manager – HR - Bird Airport Service Mumbai Pvt Ltd. - Mumbai

(2016-05)

• Lead end-to-end HR operations for an organisation with a workforce strength of 2500+ employees, including frontline, administrative and technical teams.
• Drive strategic HR initiatives including performance management, employee engagement, organisational development, and workforce planning.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, employee retention, succession planning, and talent development activities.
• Partner with senior leadership to implement HR strategies aligned with operational and business objectives.
• Negotiated collective agreements and resolved complex industrial disputes, maintaining stable labour relations and avoiding prolonged stoppages.
• Ensure adherence to labour laws, statutory compliance, audit requirements, and HR governance standards.
• Streamlined payroll and statutory processes; ensured timely PF/ESI/TDS filings and reduced audit findings through corrective actions.
• Introduced HR dashboards and KPI reporting to senior leadership, enabling data-driven workforce planning and cost control.
• Directed crisis response and business continuity planning, minimizing operational downtime during high-impact incidents.

Senior Executive – HR - Cambata Aviation Pvt Ltd. - Mumbai

(1997-12 - 2016-05)

• Owned recruitment, induction and onboarding across multiple branches in India; reduced time-to-hire and improved new-hire retention.
• Managed exit processes and full-and-final settlements, streamlining clearance and reducing cycle time.
• Managed statutory compliance activities related to PF, ESI, TDS, payroll processing, and employee benefits administration.
• Administered attendance, leave, payroll reconciliations and statutory compliance, prepared MIS and monthly manpower reports.
• Supported policy drafting, grievance investigations and disciplinary processes; maintained high standards of employee relations and morale.

B.Sc. - University of Mumbai (1996)