Case Studies

Strategic Shared Services Relocation & Workforce Transition

2 minute read

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A dairy and food manufacturer partnered with Catena Solutions to relocate its finance shared services function from the U.S. to Mexico to improve cost efficiency. Catena delivered a comprehensive change management and compensation strategy that enabled a smooth transition, supported impacted employees, and reduced turnover throughout the transformation.

The Challenge: A Complex Workforce Transition

The organization needed to relocate its finance shared services function internationally while maintaining employee trust and operational continuity. The challenge was twofold:

1. Developing a clear change management framework and communications strategy to support a smooth transition
2. Designing fair and competitive separation, retention, and incentive compensation plans for impacted employees

The Solution: An Integrated Strategy

The company turned to Catena Solutions to address both challenges. Catena assembled an experienced team of a Communications Consultant and a Compensation Consultant to scope, design, and execute a comprehensive workforce transition strategy.

Change Management & Communications

Catena developed an end-to-end change management and communications strategy that allowed the organization to clearly articulate the transformation while maintaining credibility with employees.

The approach was grounded in extensive research, assessments, analyses, stakeholder interviews, and cross-functional collaboration. The resulting solution equipped executives and people leaders with practical tools and materials to lead the change effectively, including toolkits, talking points, town hall content, scripts, email templates, and employee engagement activities.

Compensation & Incentive Design

Catena designed separation, retention, and incentive compensation packages on a person-by-person basis rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. This involved a detailed review of each impacted employee’s role, compensation, tenure, equity, and performance ratings to ensure the packages were equitable, competitive, and aligned with business objectives.

The Benefit: A Seamless Shared Services Relocation

The plans we delivered allowed the company to:

• Seamlessly execute the shared services relocation plan
• Communicate the change in a transparent and effective manner
• Mitigate employee concerns through stakeholder and executive preparedness
• Provide personalized and fair compensation packages for impacted employees
• Reduce turnover once the change was announced

Additionally, due to the success of the engagement, the client requested that the change management framework be adapted for another region, with plans to use it as a model for future organizational change initiatives. If your organization needs help with its shared services strategy, Contact us to get the conversation started.