Interviews
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By Lisa Kopochinski

Catharine Sanko originally thought she would be a social worker or psychologist, but after getting her feet wet in her first payroll position, she knew she had found her niche.

As a highly organized and analytical person with an empathetic personality, this area of human resources fit her personality to a “T.”

“I have always wanted to help people,” she said. “So in my HR career I can help others with matters that are very significant, yet very sensitive and personal to them – like their pay and benefits.”

Growing up around the Greater Toronto Area, she studied psychology and sociology after high school at the University of Waterloo, but it was while working in an accounting position that the opportunity arose for her to work in payroll.

“The company was not having success finding the right fit for the role at the time,” she said. “The hiring manager happened to be discussing the challenges with the 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.

What do you like most about your job?
CS: Every day there are new challenges in my job. I have so much to learn about the business still and there is a lot of variety in my responsibilities. I feel like there is unlimited opportunity for improvement or enhancements to the processes within the areas I lead. I love solving problems and helping my team troubleshoot through something challenging.

What does a typical day at work for you look like?
CS: On a typical day, I will attend several meetings. PepsiCo is a very collaborative business and they truly value their subject matter experts (SMEs). I provide support on a regular basis within the scope of my role to various teams including global payroll or HR operations.

What are some of the challenges you experience?
CS: Some of the regular challenges that I deal with include issues with one of our interfaces, receiving urgent requests with a short resolution turnaround time, or being asked to make a decision with limited information to move a project or change forward.

Another challenge is working within a “matrixed” organization. In this type of environment, a key focus is getting work done through others that are not my direct reports. This is different from my past experience and requires strong influencing and relationship building skills to be successful.

What skills do you possess that make you a great fit for your position as a benefits and pension expert?
CS: I am analytical, systematic, extremely organized, goal-oriented and decisive. I thrive on change as it usually provides a new opportunity for learning. I also work hard to provide the right support to my team and to become a better manager.

What are your ultimate career goals?
CS: I would like to continue to advance within the Total Rewards specialization in positions that would benefit from my unique skillset. I will also keep myself open to a project or development assignment that may be outside of the Total Rewards scope if it is a good challenge and would benefit my long-term goals.

What advice do you have for others interested in pursuing a career in benefits and pensions?
CS: Work hard and embrace change for the opportunity that it is. Don’t ever think or say, “That’s not my job.” It is often the challenges outside the scope of a specific position that provide the most chance for learning and development.

Be true to yourself and trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Just because someone says, “We’ve always done it this way,” doesn’t mean you have to continue to do it the same.

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