Case Studies

From Transactional to Transformational: Building an HR Function for Growth

3 minute read

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A rapidly expanding specialty foods distributor was poised for national growth, but its HR operations couldn’t keep up. Catena Solutions embedded an experienced HR leader to redesign compensation, benefits, policies, and team capabilities, transforming HR from a transactional function into a strategic enabler. The result: scalable infrastructure, improved employee experience, and alignment between people strategy and business growth.

The Challenge: The Growing Pains of Success

With more than 2,500 employees, 1,000 partners, and 14,000 customers, the company was thriving in a competitive market. Yet behind the scenes, outdated HR processes, inconsistent policies, and misaligned structures threatened to slow expansion. Future acquisitions were on the horizon, but without a cohesive people strategy, sustainable growth would be difficult to achieve.

Key challenges included:

• Inconsistent compensation practices across four distribution centers, corporate headquarters, and two acquisition targets
• Non-competitive benefits and outdated 401(k) plans
• Weak communication between corporate HR, leaders, and field teams
• Lack of front-line leadership training

The Solution: Embedding Leadership to Drive Change

Catena Solutions placed an experienced HR leader at the heart of the organization to design and execute a people strategy that could scale. Partnering closely with executives and HR teams, the consultant delivered targeted initiatives across five critical areas, all grounded in collaboration, communication, and long-term sustainability.

Building Fair & Scalable Pay Practices

• Designed and implemented a job-based wage band compensation structure for 2,500 employees
• Facilitated leadership alignment across Director of Compensation, VP of Operations, Senior VP of Supply Chain & Operations, and Human Resources Business Partners
• Delivered compensation training to HR and site teams
• Created all compensation-related communications and FAQs

Designing Benefits That Reflect the Modern Workforce

• Led a full benefits redesign, including vendor transitions and new plan structures built in UKG
• Designed and transitioned the company to a Safe Harbor 401(k) plan, ensuring regulatory compliance and participant continuity
• Led the provider transition to Fidelity, including onboarding logistics, legal compliance, and tailored onboarding solutions for non-U.S. citizens
• Created employee communications and HR training for new benefits plans

Laying the Foundation for Consistency & Compliance

• Consolidated and authored HR policies into a comprehensive employee handbook
• Supported implementation of E-Verify, updated minimum wage laws, and ICE training
• Developed communications to ensure compliance and continuity
• Carefully navigated the dynamics at one site that had been in talks to unionize

Elevating HR as a Strategic Partner

• Facilitated an HR offsite to align the team on business goals and develop a strategic HR plan
• Played a key role in organizational restructuring, including the respectful exit of a senior team member
• Created a driver time and attendance policy and supporting training
• Created and facilitated HRBP capability-building sessions covering compensation, benefits, and people practices
• Acted as a connector between functional leaders, corporate HR, Centers of Excellence, and field teams

Empowering a Better Employee Experience

• Analyzed Great Place to Work survey results and guided site-level action planning focused on fair compensation, work-life balance, and reducing favoritism
• Communicated new short-term disability benefits to employees

By aligning people, process, and purpose, Catena helped transform HR from a cost center into a catalyst for sustainable growth, proving that when people strategy leads, business results follow.

The Benefit: HR Positioned for Sustainable Growth

Through strategic leadership and operational precision, Catena helped transform HR from a compliance-driven function into a strategic enabler of business success. Outcomes included:

• A scalable compensation model improving equity and planning accuracy
• Expanded benefits offerings and a seamless 401(k) provider transition
• A unified employee handbook and consistent policy practices
• Elevated HR team capabilities through training and alignment
• Improved transparency, communication, and employee engagement

Today, HR operates as a trusted partner, enabling the company to scale confidently, retain talent, and sustain growth for years to come. If your company is having similar challenges, contact us to learn how we can help.