Advance Auto Parts is reimagining the role of its India innovation centre, moving beyond traditional cost-focused models to become a strategic contributor to the company’s global growth. With around 500 employees, the centre now directly supports the company’s turnaround agenda, backed by a robust talent strategy that prioritises business impact over headcount.
“Our cultural framework is built on inspiring our team members, serving our customers and growing our business. It’s reflected in how we operate across every part of the organisation, including our Advance India locations,” Kristen Soler, CHRO of Advance Auto Parts, said. Hiring in India aligns closely with business priorities, focusing on engineers, finance and accounting professionals and pricing specialists who strengthen capabilities critical to competing in the automotive aftermarket retail sector.
AI and machine learning have become central to the centre’s roadmap. Instead of resisting automation, the organisation has invested in upskilling employees in pricing intelligence, competitive data analytics and related areas. Soler noted that employees also undergo structured business training to connect technical skills with real-world outcomes for customers and stores in North America. Career mobility and visible ownership remain key to retention, with internal movements across geographies and functions enabling leaders in India to support global teams effectively.
Advance Auto Parts fosters an intrapreneurial culture through mentorship, learning programmes and hands-on exposure to emerging technologies. Attrition remains below 10%, in line with retail industry benchmarks, supported by hybrid work models, time-zone collaboration protocols and transport support. Beyond traditional metrics, the firm tracks whether capability-building investments deliver tangible business results, signalling that the value of global capability centres now extends far beyond cost efficiency.
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