Dabur India has appointed Herjit S. Bhalla as Chief Executive Officer – India Business, effective April 15, 2026. Reporting to Global CEO Mohit Malhotra, Bhalla brings over 25 years of global leadership experience across Unilever, Metro Cash & Carry and The Hershey Company to steer Dabur’s next growth phase.
In a significant leadership development aimed at accelerating domestic growth and sharpening competitive focus, Dabur India has announced the appointment of Herjit S. Bhalla as Chief Executive Officer – India Business, effective April 15, 2026. Bhalla will report directly to Mohit Malhotra, Whole-time Director and Global CEO of the company, reinforcing a leadership structure designed to drive scale and agility in one of the country’s most dynamic FMCG environments.
The appointment comes at a time when Dabur, one of India’s most established consumer goods companies, is navigating evolving consumer preferences, intensified competition, and the rapid digitisation of retail. By bringing in a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience across global markets, the company signals its intent to strengthen execution in its core India business while aligning closely with global best practices.
Bhalla joins Dabur with a diverse and international career spanning sales, marketing, operations and general management roles. His professional journey began at Unilever, where he spent over a decade building expertise in brand strategy and commercial leadership. Among his notable assignments was serving as Marketing Director in Moscow from 2009 to 2012, a role that exposed him to complex, fast-evolving consumer markets and sharpened his understanding of multinational operations in culturally diverse settings. His tenure at Unilever is widely regarded as foundational in shaping his consumer-centric approach and data-driven marketing mindset.
After Unilever, Bhalla transitioned into modern trade and wholesale operations, taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer at Metro Cash & Carry between 2016 and 2017. As COO and a Director on the company’s Executive Board, he was responsible for overseeing large-scale retail operations, supply chains and commercial performance. This stint provided him with deep exposure to backend efficiencies, distribution networks and the intricacies of large-format retail—an experience particularly relevant for Dabur as it strengthens omnichannel distribution across urban and rural India.
In 2018, Bhalla joined The Hershey Company as Managing Director for India, marking the beginning of a new chapter in confectionery and snacking. At Hershey, he not only led the India business but also steadily expanded his portfolio into global leadership roles. Over the years, he served as Vice President – India & AEMEA, Vice President – Canada & AMEA, and most recently as Vice President – Canada & Global Customers. These assignments placed him at the helm of cross-border operations, global customer partnerships and strategic market expansions, further strengthening his credentials as a transformation-oriented leader.
Bhalla’s track record reflects a consistent ability to scale businesses, integrate local insights with global frameworks, and deliver sustained growth in competitive categories. His exposure to both emerging and developed markets is expected to bring a balanced perspective to Dabur’s India operations, which remain central to the company’s revenue and brand equity.
For Dabur, the creation and strengthening of the CEO – India Business role underscore the importance of its domestic market, even as the company continues to expand internationally. The Indian FMCG sector has witnessed heightened competition in recent years, driven by nimble start-ups, direct-to-consumer brands, and aggressive expansion by multinational giants. In this context, operational sharpness, brand innovation and rapid go-to-market strategies have become critical success factors.
By appointing Bhalla, Dabur appears to be investing in leadership depth that combines brand-building expertise with operational discipline. His experience at Unilever is likely to support premiumisation and sharper marketing strategies, while his exposure at Metro Cash & Carry could enhance trade relationships and supply chain effectiveness. Meanwhile, his tenure at Hershey—spanning both India and global responsibilities—positions him well to manage cross-functional teams and align India’s growth strategy with global consumer trends.
Bhalla will work closely with Mohit Malhotra, who has steered Dabur through a period of portfolio expansion and international growth. The reporting structure signals continuity in strategic vision while enabling focused leadership on domestic operations. As Whole-time Director and Global CEO, Malhotra retains oversight of the company’s global footprint, while Bhalla’s mandate will centre on accelerating performance in India, strengthening market share, and enhancing consumer engagement across categories.
Industry observers note that leadership transitions at this level often reflect broader strategic recalibrations. In Dabur’s case, the move may signal a sharpened emphasis on premium product lines, innovation pipelines and digital commerce. The company has been actively expanding into health supplements, natural personal care and functional foods, segments that demand sophisticated marketing narratives and agile supply chains—areas aligned with Bhalla’s background.
His appointment also highlights a growing trend of Indian FMCG companies attracting leaders with multinational experience to blend local agility with global standards. Bhalla’s international exposure, particularly in Canada and other developed markets, may offer insights into evolving consumer behaviours, sustainability benchmarks and customer relationship models that can be adapted to India’s fast-changing retail landscape.
As he steps into the role on April 15, 2026, expectations will centre on how effectively he can translate his diverse experiences into measurable growth for Dabur’s India business. Stakeholders will watch closely for shifts in portfolio strategy, brand communication, distribution expansion and digital integration. With India remaining one of the fastest-growing large consumer markets globally, the opportunity is significant—but so is the competitive intensity.
For Bhalla, the move represents both a homecoming and a new challenge: leading one of India’s most iconic consumer goods companies at a pivotal moment in its journey. For Dabur, it marks the beginning of a new leadership chapter aimed at reinforcing its legacy while positioning itself for the next phase of growth in a rapidly transforming marketplace.
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