HR & Payroll Generalist

PTY; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd in Stellenbosch, South Africa, is seeking an experienced HR & Payroll Generalist to join their HR team. The role blends people-focused HR activities with the technical accuracy of payroll, working closely with employees, managers, and Finance.

The successful candidate will manage both payroll processing and HR activities, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and payroll audits, while maintaining data integrity and compliance with SA labour laws.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years' experience in a generalist HR role with full payroll responsibility.
• Sound knowledge of South African labour legislation (BCEA, PAYE, UIF and COIDA).
• Payroll qualification or formal payroll training will be advantageous.
• Experience with SAGE 300, Pastel Evolution and ESS will be advantageous.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in HR, Industrial Psychology, or Business Management.

Responsibilities

• Payroll: Manage the full fortnightly and monthly payroll cycle and related processing.
• HR: Manage end‑to‑end recruitment, onboarding, and HR support to managers and employees.
• HR: Support employee relations, performance management, discipline, and probation.
• Maintain accurate confidential employee records and HR data (ESS).
• Coordinate HR projects, training, and wellness initiatives, and prepare HR and payroll reports.

Skills

HR Generalist

Payroll processing

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in HR/Industrial Psychology/Business Management

Tools

SAGE 300

Pastel Evolution

ESS

Job description

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd | Permanent

HR & Payroll Generalist

Stellenbosch, South Africa | Posted on 21/08/2026

Red Ember Recruitment is seeking an experienced and hands-on HR & Payroll Generalist to join our client’s HR team.

This is a diverse role suited to an HR professional who enjoys both the people side of HR and the technical accuracy of payroll. The successful candidate will work closely with employees, managers, the Head of HR and Finance Manager to ensure a professional, efficient and compliant HR service across the business.

Payroll

• Manage the full fortnightly and monthly payroll cycle.
• Process overtime, tips, commissions, leave, deductions, new appointments, promotions and terminations.
• Ensure accurate payroll processing, reconciliations, control accounts and salary journals.
• Prepare payroll reports and ensure accurate and timely statutory submissions.
• Manage submissions relating to SARS, UIF and COIDA.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure strong data integrity.
• Assist with payroll audits and resolve payroll-related queries.

Human Resources

• Manage the end-to-end recruitment and on boarding process, including advertising, short-listing, interviews, reference checks and offers.
• Provide HR support and guidance to managers and employees.
• Assist with employee relations, disciplinary processes, performance management and probation.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records.
• Manage ESS and related HR systems.
• Assist with pension fund administration.
• Coordinate KPAs, training, employee development, wellness and employee engagement initiatives.
• Prepare HR and payroll reports.
• 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.
• 3-5 years' experience in a generalist HR role with full payroll responsibility.
• Sound knowledge of South African labour legislation, including the BCEA, PAYE, UIF and COIDA.
• Payroll qualification or formal payroll training will be advantageous.
• Experience with SAGE 300, Pastel Evolution and ESS will be advantageous.
• Previous experience within hospitality, luxury hospitality or a service-driven environment will be advantageous.
  

We are looking for someone who is:

• Patient, approachable and people-oriented.
• Highly organised and exceptionally detail-oriented.
• Numerically strong with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Professional, approachable and service-driven.
• 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.
• Hands-on and willing to take ownership of both HR and payroll responsibilities.
• Reliable, accountable and able to work independently.
• Passionate about providing an excellent employee experience and HR service.