Richa Gupta | Deputy General Manager of Human Resources | Hershey India Pvt. Limited
Richa Gupta strives to live a balanced life. “Balancing the act of being a mother to a five-year-old and a career-oriented woman requires resilience,” she explains. This quality encapsulates her ability to adapt, persevere, and thrive in a dynamic environment.
Currently, she serves as the Deputy General Manager of Human Resources at Hershey India Pvt. Limited (HIPL), where her strategic vision and leadership are shaping the company’s HR strategy. With a multifaceted approach to HR, Richa is dedicated to building a culture of inclusivity, innovation, and continuous improvement at Hershey that aligns HR practices with organisational goals.
One defining trait that Richa embodies in both her professional and personal life is discipline. Richa has cultivated a disciplined approach, clearly delineating moments dedicated to work from periods reserved for family, personal care, and social interactions. This thoughtful balance exemplifies her commitment to nurturing both spheres of her life.
A commitment to people: Retracing the purpose of HR
Richa’s passion for working with people and her interest in organisational development drove her to pursue a career in HR. “I have a desire to contribute to creating a positive work environment and a commitment to supporting and advocating for employees,” she emphasises. Her vision for HR in 2025 reflects this commitment: “My vision for HR in 2025 is to create a diverse, people-centric, technology-driven environment that fosters continuous learning, inclusivity, and holistic employee well-being.”
Richa acknowledges that one of the biggest challenges facing HR today is managing and retaining talent in a rapidly changing work environment. “Addressing this issue involves creating a flexible, inclusive, and engaging work culture,” she says. Her proactive measures, such as implementing retention initiatives, designing a motivating team culture, and leveraging technology, have enhanced productivity and employee well-being.
Reflecting on her top learning from 2024, Richa underscores the importance of flexibility and adaptability in today’s work landscape. “This year highlighted the necessity for organisations to embrace hybrid work models and prioritise employee well-being,” she remarks. Her insights affirm the need for empathetic leadership and supportive environments that cater to diverse employee needs.
Aligning business and people strategic goals at Hershey
In her role at Hershey, Richa has been pivotal in developing HR capabilities that resonate with the company’s strategic objectives. Her responsibilities encompass strategic planning, talent acquisition, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and technology integration. “Developing comprehensive HR plans that align with organisational goals, focusing on talent management, organisational design, workforce productivity, and engagement has been a critical part of my role,” she states.
Richa’s contributions as a Sales HR Business Partner have significantly enhanced the sales organisation. She streamlined the organisation’s recruitment processes, which led to a remarkable improvement in the quality of hires, achieving a success rate of over 95% in the confirmation of hires for 2023 and 2024 compared to 80% in the preceding years. Moreover, her initiatives to enhance employee retention have resulted in a 12% decrease in frontline attrition rates. “By implementing retention strategies that include competitive compensation packages and career advancement opportunities, I have focused on creating a positive work environment,” she notes.
Another critical area where Richa has made a discernable impact is boosting incentive earnings for frontline sales personnel. She curated an incentive structure that aligns with business priorities, which has led to an average earning depth of over 80% and a width of over 60%—an increase from last year’s figures. Her focus on enhancing gender diversity within the sales team has also yielded impressive results, achieving a record 15% representation in 2024, up from 7% in 2021.
Journey with Are You In The List 2024 awards
Participating in the People Matters and Are You In The List Awards powered by Aon has allowed Richa to step outside her comfort zone. The assessment parameters offered comprehensive insights into her leadership competencies. “The experience helped me identify my strengths and areas for improvement, allowing me to focus on personal and professional development effectively,” she explains. The rigorous evaluation process increased her self-awareness, enabling her to understand the impact of her actions and decisions on others. Furthermore, Richa found invaluable networking opportunities through the award, connecting with industry leaders and like-minded professionals.
Learn new perspectives, meet new leaders, and hear the stories of winners of the Are You In The List on #AreYouInTheList.