finance director in front of my desk. She was describing a need
for the right mix of an analytical, detailed person, but with the
right personality and fit. At one point she said, ‘I need someone
like Catharine!’ I laughed with her and they moved on and I went
about my day as usual.”
However, the following day, the manager and director approached
her and asked if she would be interested in the payroll
position.
“I had no payroll experience at the time, but was very excited
at the opportunity to learn something new, so I accepted,” said
Sanko. “That was my first payroll job and I embraced the opportunity,
learning the day-to-day processes and registering for payroll
courses. Within a year or so I started taking on some additional
HR accountabilities and started getting some benefits exposure.
The next role I accepted was a mix of payroll, benefits and pension
accountabilities.”
After working in payroll and benefits for a number of different
companies and completing courses through the Canadian Payroll
Association (CPA), she earned a Certified Payroll Manager
(CPM) designation before achieving her Certified Human
Resources Leader (CHRL) designation.
Sanko joined PepsiCo in August 2014 as HR operations associate
manager. Her position expanded last February and she is now
associate manager, Benefits and Pension Core Services. Working
out of the company’s Mississauga office, HR Professional recently
caught up with this busy benefits and pension expert to find out
what motivates her.
As associate manager, Benefits and Pension Core Services
at PepsiCo, what are your main areas of responsibility?
Catharine Sanko: My main areas of responsibility include managing
the operations of all existing benefits, retirement plans,
disability pay, vendor interfaces and reporting for PepsiCo Canada.
I’m also responsible for ensuring that any new programs are implemented
successfully and to provide HR training and support
on PepsiCo Canada Total Rewards policies and programs. I lead
a team of five employees who keep all of these various day-to-day
operations running smoothly.
How did you come to work in your current role?
CS: In my position before PepsiCo, I led three significant HR
projects to successful completion. These projects encompassed a
complete benefits redesign including rollout and a Total Rewards
Roadshow to educate employees, an HRIS/payroll system conversion
and an acquisition.
As I started to think about my future career development, I saw
the job posting for PepsiCo Canada’s HR operations associate
manager. I had followed the organization for years hoping to see
an opportunity that was right for me, so I applied and really connected
with the hiring manager during my first interview. I believe
my varied Total Rewards experience combined with the number
of projects and system implementations I’ve led were instrumental
in securing this role; I knew right away that it was the right opportunity
and fit for me.
career paths
42 ❚ JANUARY 2016 ❚ HR PROFESSIONAL