In today’s dynamic business landscape, the Head of HR is a key architect in fostering a thriving organizational culture, driving strategic talent initiatives, and aligning the workforce with the company’s vision for sustainable growth and success. Maninder Kapoor Puri’s career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to people, fostering leadership, and promoting organizational excellence. As the Head of HR at Biocon, Maninder has been instrumental in crafting and executing talent strategies that align with the company’s vision and global ambitions.

Maninder’s academic foundation in language and human resources set the stage for a career that has been deeply rooted in people management. Her journey has been shaped by her passion for building high-performing, collaborative teams, and her early career experiences across different functions and industries have given her invaluable insights into leadership and organizational development. This diverse experience informs her strategic approach to HR and has equipped her with the skills to lead transformative initiatives that enhance both employee experience and business performance.

Known for her empathetic and inclusive leadership style, Maninder views people as the heart of any organization. She prioritizes creating an environment where employees feel valued and empowered to reach their full potential. At Biocon, she has embedded this people-first philosophy into the company’s HR practices, ensuring that the workforce is not only equipped to meet the company’s goals but is also empowered to grow both personally and professionally.

Maninder is also a champion of innovation in HR. She has been pivotal in integrating advanced HR technologies, leveraging data-driven insights, and implementing forward-thinking talent development programs. This approach is helping Biocon to build a future-ready workforce, capable of navigating industry challenges and seizing new opportunities in an ever-changing global landscape. Let’s dive in to know more.

Can you share insights into your extensive career as an HR leader? What have been the most significant milestones during your 25- year journey in the field of HR?

Over my 25-year HR career, I’ve experienced pivotal moments that shaped my approach in aligning HR strategies with organizational growth. Early in my journey, hands-on experience across various HR functions highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of learning and leadership development. Moving into leadership roles, I recognized HR's strategic role in driving business success, which led me to champion initiatives that empowered employees and built high-performance cultures.

A defining moment was leading a cultural transformation during significant organizational change. This involved rethinking leadership development, engagement strategies, and inclusivity to create an agile, resilient workforce aligned with the company’s growth goals. The experience reinforced the vital role of culture in achieving business outcomes.

Navigating the global pandemic further tested my abilities. We ensured zero productivity loss while swiftly transitioning to remote work, focusing on wellness, flexibility, and communication. Enhancements in wellness programs, flexible work options, and new reward systems ensured employees felt valued and supported.

Joining Biocon 1.5 years ago has been an exciting chapter. Biocon’s innovative, globally expanding environment allows me to strengthen continuous learning, inclusion, and collaboration. My priority remains building a workforce equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry while fostering equity and employee empowerment.

Introduce us to Biocon. What are the key roles and responsibilities you shoulder as the Head of HR for Biocon?

Biocon is a leading global biopharmaceutical company with a vision to enhance global healthcare through innovative and affordable biopharmaceuticals for patients, partners, and healthcare systems across the globe.

I am honored to be a part of the mission as the Head of Human Resources.

In my role, I oversee the HR function to support Biocon’s strategic objectives and growth. My responsibilities include shaping and implementing talent strategies to attract, retain, and develop top industry talent. This involves driving initiatives in talent acquisition, leadership development, performance management, and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and high performance. By aligning HR initiatives with Biocon’s business goals, I ensure our people are well-equipped and motivated to excel in the dynamic biopharma landscape.

What truly inspires me about Biocon is its culture pillars, namely Collaboration, Integrity, Walk the talk, Bias for action and Innovation. The emphasis on employee well-being, growth, and empowerment is central to our success. My focus areas include digital transformation, talent development, organizational culture, and fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). These efforts aim to enhance employee engagement, drive

innovation, and position Biocon as a global employer of choice.

From a people and DEI perspective, what are your key focus areas in terms driving growth for Biocon?

As the Head of HR at Biocon, my focus on people and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is integral to driving growth through innovation, collaboration, and excellence. At Biocon, our people are our most valuable asset, and fostering an inclusive, empowering work culture is vital to sustaining growth and achieving business goals.

DEIB is embedded into all HR processes, from recruitment to talent development and career progression. Key initiatives include eliminating unconscious bias, ensuring diverse candidate slates, and offering DEIB-focused leadership development programs. A priority is increasing the representation of women in leadership roles

By promoting fairness and inclusivity, we aim to cultivate an environment where every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered to perform at their best, contributing to Biocon’s mission of driving innovation and advancing healthcare globally.

Your success mantra over the years?

My success mantra is rooted in four principles, namely unlocking potential, empowering people, embracing change, and leading with integrity. I believe an organization’s true strength lies in its people. Creating an environment where employees feel valued, trusted, and supported fosters high performance and growth. Embracing change and promoting continuous learning are essential to navigating evolving challenges and driving innovation. I prioritize adaptability, encouraging teams to view challenges as opportunities. Integrity forms the foundation of my leadership. Leading by example with transparency, fairness, and honesty builds trust and strengthens relationships, both internally and externally, ensuring sustainable growth and collaboration.

How do you foresee the HR landscape evolving in 2025? Are there any industry trends that you are betting big on as an HR leader?

As we approach 2025, the HR landscape is set for transformative changes fueled by technology, shifting workforce expectations, and a heightened focus on well-being and diversity. Automation and AI will redefine HR tasks, from payroll to talent sourcing, with up to 50 percent of tasks potentially automated. Tools like chatbots and automated interview platforms will streamline recruitment processes.

Employee experience (EX) will be central, with 70 percent of HR leaders planning investments to enhance onboarding, development, work-life balance, and wellness initiatives. A human-centered approach will ensure employees feel valued and connected. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) will shift from a 'nice-to-have' to a strategic priority, given its impact on organizational success.

Mental health will also take precedence, with depression and anxiety projected to be leading causes of disability by 2025. HR will integrate mental health resources, flexible working, and a supportive culture, driving both well-being and ROI.

Skill-based hiring will rise, emphasizing compe­tencies over formal education, as 44 percent of work­ers reskill or upskill. Data-driven decision-making through people analytics will also dominate, enabling HR to optimize engagement, retention, and performance with actionable insights, signaling a new era for HR strategies.

Maninder Kapoor Puri, Head of HR at Biocon

Maninder Kapoor Puri, Head of HR at Biocon, is a seasoned hr leader with 25+ years of experience. Renowned for her people-centric approach, she drives talent strategies, fosters inclusivity, and aligns hr initiatives with biocon’s growth. Maninder champions innovation, collaboration, and leadership development to build a high-performing, future-ready workforce.