Dinesh Sharma’s 17-year ascent from trainee to General Manager – Human Resources, at CJ DARCL Logistics unfolds as an odyssey. His HR strategies, including scholarships and travel reimbursements, reveal a deep commitment to the logistics family, nurturing growth and employee welfare.
Ground-level employees, often unseen, are the genuine architects of financial triumph
Dinesh Sharma, boasts an extensive 17-year tenure within the logistics realm. After joining as a trainee post-MBA in 2007, he witnessed the company’s exponential growth, from a modest turnover of 570 crores to a staggering 4300 crores last year. Rising through the ranks, Sharma’s journey culminated in his current role as General Manager, Human Resources. Over the years, he evolved from a trainee to a strategic coordinator, closely engaging with stakeholders and playing a pivotal role in the company’s expansion. Despite the industry’s challenges, Dinesh found inspiration in the logistics sector’s vast scope and weathered the storm during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising the industry’s resilience. Dinesh’s unwavering commitment to his logistics family, coupled with the company’s familial management style, has shaped his 17-year expedition, where he never saw himself as just an employee but as an integral part of a thriving logistics family.
Unseen triumphs
In the world of logistics, our protagonist confronted challenges with finesse. Steering a familial business with multiple stakeholders and arranging crucial meetings emerged as formidable tasks. Yet, in this family-driven domain, implementing new policies found smooth acceptance. The real battle, however, unfolded in the unstructured logistics industry. Navigating the chaos of branch-level operations—day, night, and overtime—proved a universal struggle. As transportation’s vital cogs worked across the nation, our protagonist grappled with the intricate task of instilling structure. In the face of this industry-wide challenge, the journey towards structural harmony became our hero’s unspoken triumph.
Ground wisdom
In the corridors of corporate comfort, Sharma reveals a vital truth. While crafting policies in air-conditioned offices, the real heartbeat of success resonates at the ground level. Ground-level employees, often unseen, are the genuine architects of financial triumph. He advocates for policies that prioritise these often-overlooked contributors at the ground level. His perspective underscores the significance of fairness, seizing opportunities, and unwavering honesty for both individual success and the collective growth of the enterprise.
Empathy in action
In a reflective moment, Sharma shares a career highlight—his instrumental role in shaping impactful policies. These policies, from incentives to staff benefits, reflect a commitment to alleviating financial burdens, especially for lower-paying employees. The provision of medical and insurance coverage demonstrates a profound dedication to employee welfare. Sharma finds pride in the small victories of daily satisfaction, aiming to positively impact even a fraction of the vast workforce. His recent endeavour to ensure equitable incentives for all, emphasising collective responsibility, showcases empathy in action within the logistics industry.
Unseen vigilance
Sharma, rooted in the HR realm, adeptly navigates industry complexities. His role may be in the shadows, yet he champions the logistics cause with silent vigilance. Despite not being fully immersed, he meticulously monitors HR intricacies—minimum wages, labour laws, and industry trends nationwide. In the quietude of his role, Sharma ensures that the heartbeat of human resources pulses in rhythm with the dynamic demands of the cargo and logistics sectors, embodying the unsung hero who silently fortifies the industry’s foundations.
HR dynamics
In the labyrinth of HR roles, Sharma reflects on the distinctive challenges within logistics. Unlike the focused responsibilities of IT or manufacturing, logistics supervises a sprawling workforce of over 4,000 across the country. The juxtaposition with manufacturing, which deals with a more localised staff, highlights the scale of HR intricacies. Sharma’s role transcends conventional limits; in logistics, he is not confined to recruitment duties. Instead, he must adeptly handle unforeseen challenges, demonstrating that in the dynamic realm of logistics, HR extends beyond conventional boundaries, making him a vital player in the industry’s intricate dynamics.
Empowerment
Within HR empowerment, Sharma emphasises logistics’ unique responsibilities. Unlike other industries with preset policies, logistics offers the freedom to craft and implement new directives, backed by receptive management. Proudly contributing to various policies, Sharma highlights the impactful scholarship policy ensuring education support for employees’ high-achieving children. His notable influence extends nationwide, exemplified by travel expense reimbursements—showcasing a commitment to employees regardless of their location. “HR Empowerment” encapsulates Sharma’s role in shaping policies and fostering a dynamic HR environment within the logistics industry.
Work-life dexterity
In the ever-evolving logistics landscape, Sharma stands as a stalwart, steering the industry through transformative changes. As the first to embrace SAP in 2010, he propelled the sector from tradition to innovation, recognising the indispensability of IT for global competitiveness. His role, however, comes at a personal cost, acknowledging the near-impossibility of work-life balance. Despite the unyielding demands, Sharma’s dedication is unwavering, with his focus exclusively on the job. The sacrifice extends to keeping his family 150 km away, a strategic decision to maintain professional commitment.
Career insight
Sharma, a logistics veteran, advises newcomers to prioritise stability in their cargo careers. His wisdom advocates dedicating 3 to 5 years to comprehensive learning, cautioning against quick job shifts that hinder skill development. Sharma reflects on his own commitment, giving his all to ensure personal growth and industry success.
