Kiran Bhagnure-Khapre has taken on a new and significant role as the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd. (KOEL), marking another milestone in her distinguished career in human capital leadership. With over 18 years of HR experience across manufacturing, automotive, and engineering sectors, Kiran steps into this pivotal position with a track record of transforming HR functions and driving talent-centric strategies.
Kiran joined Kirloskar Oil Engines in 2023 and has since held multiple leadership roles, including Head of Compensation & Benefits, Talent Acquisition, and HR Operational Excellence, as well as HR Head for the Power Generation Business and Kagal Plant. In each of these roles, she has brought a strategic lens to people practices—whether optimizing talent acquisition, strengthening employer branding, or advancing HR operational efficiency.
Her previous stints include serving as India HR Head at Behr-Hella Thermocontrol (BHTC) and a nearly decade-long impactful journey at Cummins India, where she handled HR across corporate functions, manufacturing units, and lab operations. These experiences have honed her abilities in HR transformation, leadership development, organizational design, and change management.
Kiran holds an MBA in Human Resources from Savitribai Phule Pune University, a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from COEP, and executive certifications from IIM Ahmedabad and TISS Mumbai. Her people-first approach and deep understanding of business priorities make her an asset to KOEL’s leadership team as it embarks on the next phase of growth and innovation.
Please join us in congratulating Kiran on her elevation. We look forward to the continued impact she will bring to KOEL’s people strategy and culture.