HR & Payroll Generalist

Phoenix Recruitment; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix Recruitment in Stellenbosch is seeking an experienced HR professional to manage payroll and provide HR support across the business. You will handle fortnightly and monthly payroll, recruitment, onboarding, and employee relations, ensuring data accuracy and statutory compliance.

The role requires a relevant HR qualification, payroll experience, English and Afrikaans communication, and strong Excel skills, with familiarity in SAGE 300/Pastel Evolution and ESS being advantageous.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in HR, Industrial Psychology, Business Management or related field.
• Payroll qualification/experience.
• 3–5 years' experience in a generalist HR role with payroll responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of SA labour legislation including BCEA, PAYE, UIF and COIDA.
• Proficient in Excel; experience with SAGE 300/Pastel Evolution and ESS advantageous.
• Hospitality or service industry experience advantageous.
• Ability to communicate in English and Afrikaans.
• Numerically strong with good problem-solving skills.
• Confidentiality, discretion and ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Manage the fortnightly and monthly payroll cycle, including overtime, tips, commission, leave, deductions, new appointments, promotions and terminations.
• Ensure accurate payroll processing, reconciliations, control accounts, salary journals, reporting and statutory submissions, including SARS, UIF and COIDA.
• Manage the end-to-end recruitment and onboarding process, including advertising, shortlisting, interviews, references and offers.
• Provide HR support and guidance to managers on employee relations, disciplinary processes, performance management and probation.
• Maintain accurate employee records, ESS, pension fund administration and payroll information and ensure strong data integrity.
• Coordinate performance management, training, employee development, wellness and employee engagement initiatives.
• Prepare HR and payroll reports and assist with audits, statutory requirements and HR projects.
• Act as a professional and approachable point of contact for employees and managers on HR and payroll matters.

Skills

General HR experience (3-5 years)

Employee relations knowledge

Numerical skills

Communication skills

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in HR/Industrial Psychology/Business Management

Tools

Excel

SAGE 300

Pastel Evolution

ESS

Job description

Duties:

• Manage the fortnightly and monthly payroll cycle, including overtime, tips, commission, leave, deductions, new appointments, promotions and terminations.
• Ensure accurate payroll processing, reconciliations, control accounts, salary journals, reporting and statutory submissions, including SARS, UIF and COIDA.
• Manage the end-to-end recruitment and onboarding process, including advertising, shortlisting, interviews, references and offers.
• Provide HR support and guidance to managers on employee relations, disciplinary processes, performance management and probation.
• Maintain accurate employee records, ESS, pension fund administration and payroll information and ensure strong data integrity.
• Coordinate performance management, training, employee development, wellness and employee engagement initiatives.
• Prepare HR and payroll reports and assist with audits, statutory requirements and HR projects.
• Act as a professional and approachable point of contact for employees and managers on HR and payroll matters.

Requirements:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Business Management or a related field.
• Payroll qualification/experience.
• At least 3 5 years' experience in a generalist HR role with payroll responsibility.
• Sound knowledge of South African labour legislation, BCEA, PAYE, UIF and COIDA.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with SAGE 300/Pastel Evolution and ESS will be advantageous.
• Previous experience in hospitality or a service environment will be advantageous.
• A positive, approachable and patient personality!
• SDF (skills development facilitator) certification advantageous.
• Highly organised and detail oriented.
• Able to communicate in English and Afrikaans.
• Numerically strong with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Professional, approachable and service-oriented.
• Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
• Comfortable working under pressure and managing multiple deadlines.
• A strong communicator who can build effective relationships at all levels.
• Honest, reliable, proactive and able to work independently.