Leaders

Across global workplaces, a new narrative is taking shape, one where technology and people strategy move in tandem. From AIsupported recruitment to digital learning platforms, organizations are leveraging technology to enhance precision and productivity.

The HR industry is now driving smarter decisions and creating environments where employees feel supported, skilled, and future-ready.

Amid aforementioned industry transitions, few strong personalities lead with vision and skill. Tanya Sood is one such results-driven HR professional with deep skills in performance systems, talent management, and employee’s engagement.

Tanya draws exceptional outcomes leveraging her ability to strengthen engagement, streamline processes, and build high-performing teams. As Head of HR Operations at Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, her emphasis is on strengthening culture, enhancing capability, and aligning people strategies with business goals.

Take us through the formative years of your life. What inspired you to pursue a career in Human Resources?

My journey into HR began more organically than it did intentionally. Fresh out of Delhi University, I spent a year testing different career options, from advertising to journalism to event management. My short stint with Hindustan Times motivated me to pursue an advertising certification.

Surprisingly, a chance conversation helped me find my direction. My aunt’s work in HR fascinated me and I decided to explore the field further. My master’s program and a six-month internship gave me hands-on exposure, and that’s when I realized HR was more than a career option, it was the space I genuinely wanted to build my future in.

Tell us about your professional journey and various roles you have played over the years. What key areas of expertise you have developed as an HR leader over the years?

I started my first hands-on HR role with heavy manual work, then shifted to the fashion industry, adhering to an entirely new set of demands and skills. Each industry I worked in was built on processes, constant policy updates, and rapid decision-making.

These environments quietly shaped my career over a decade, sharpening my agility and strategic thinking, building confidence and versatility.

What truly defines my HR approach is the intent to contribute. Despite HR often being labelled as a support function, I take pride in bringing clarity, analysing data, and adding substance to every discussion or problem statement. This value-driven mindset has become a key strength for me.

Tell us about you coming on-board Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters and the key responsibilities you shoulder as the Lead of HR Operations.

My transition to Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters felt like entering a new phase of my HR journey. The organization then was expanding and processes were still being established. With only a few stores at the time, the focus was purely on scaling, which required a different mindset and approach.

In my role, I brought in structure and direction, prioritizing and implementing hygiene standards, and fostering inclusion & diversity by way of various initiatives. As I settled into deeper roles, I realized training was key to aligning people’s skills with company’s long-term goals. I work closely with the training team to identify needs, design modules, and upgrade capabilities.

At present, the scope of my work includes manpower planning, budgeting, labour-cost initiatives, and strategic problem-solving, ensuring clarity, efficiency, and strong execution across teams.

What challenges do you encounter as an HR leader? How do you successfully navigate through them?

One of the biggest challenges today, and something most HR leaders relate to, is guiding people out of their comfort zones. Traditional job descriptions do not define success anymore. We need people who are willing to move beyond their function, and step into new zones through job rotations and expanded ownership.

With digital adoption accelerating across all functions, getting teams comfortable with automation and tech-enabled interactions is not always easy. Many hesitate initially, unsure of how to use new systems or engage with bots. Supporting them through this transition, while also encouraging job rotations and upskilling, is a core challenge in today’s HR landscape.

What has been your approach to problem-solving? How have you ensured continued success and growth over the years?

For me, meaningful achievement starts with clarity and that begins by understanding the core issues within a process. My approach lies in identifying the issue, designing a solution, and then measuring whether the outcome truly solves the problem or not. I believe every organization has areas that need fixing, and it's natural for me to take initiative to solve deeper challenges.

Across the years, my professional success has involved taking bold initiatives, solving problems quickly, and delivering results without delay. My philosophy is to identify issues early, be proactive, and think long-term.

My persona has never been defined by quick wins, rather it dwells on sustainable change. Each solution becomes a learning experience, shaping better decisions and stronger results for the future.

How do you foresee technology disrupting the future of the HR function in the near future?

In today’s rapidly shifting landscape, technology is reshaping operations, faster than ever. From an HR lens, this shift is less about replacement and more about refinement, simplifying workflows, removing bottlenecks, and enabling automation that strengthens how teams’ function.

As a result, bots should become our frontline touchpoint. They can manage initial conversations, gather insights, and even provide early indicators of employee sentiment and retention risk. Advanced tech equips us with smarter operations, enabling deeper analysis, instant insights, and better understanding across teams.

Tanya Sood, Head - HR Operations, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters

Tanya Sood exemplifies dedication and professionalism with deep skills in performance systems, talent management, and employee engagement. She is known for her ability to strengthen team associations, streamlining processes, and build high-performing teams. As Head of HR operations at Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, she continues to drive initiatives that enhance capability, culture, and long-term organizational success.