Payroll Manager

Hire Resolve

Johannesburg

On-site

ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

A leading automotive group in South Africa is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to oversee the payroll processes for more than 4,000 staff across 40+ client companies. This full-time, on-site role requires a strong background in payroll management and financial acumen to ensure compliance with South African labour laws. Candidates should possess relevant tertiary qualifications and have experience with payroll systems like SAGE 300 and ACUMATICA. The role also involves leadership and continuous process improvement for the payroll team.

Qualifications

Proven experience managing a large, multi-entity payroll (>4,000 staff).
Expert knowledge of South African labour law and tax legislation.
Strong ability to lead a payroll team and ensure compliance.
Systems experience with SAGE 300, ACUMATICA, SALESFORCE, ERS Biometrics, ESS, MS Office.

Responsibilities

Manage the payroll process for over 40 client companies and 4,000 staff.
Ensure compliance with labour laws and accurate reporting.
Lead and coach a team of payroll specialists.
Oversee employee data loading and ESS/ERS integrations.
Prepare monthly EMP 201 and WCA submissions; post journals in Acumatica; report statistics.

Skills

Payroll management

Financial acumen

Legal compliance

Team leadership

Process improvement

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, or HR/Payroll Management

Tools

SAGE 300

ACUMATICA

SALESFORCE

ERS Biometrics

ESS

Advanced Microsoft Office skills

Job description

Executive Career Opportunity: Payroll Manager

Location: HR Head Office in Sandton, Gauteng
Industry Sector: Automotive (Large Multi-Company Group)
Salary: Competitive Market-Related CTC Package
Start Date: January 2026
Work Arrangement: Full-Time, On-Site (No hybrid option)

Are you a highly experienced Payroll Manager with a strong blend of payroll expertise and financial acumen, capable of managing a large, multi-company payroll for over 4,000 staff?

Our client, a leading group in the Automotive sector, is seeking a meticulous and decisive Payroll Manager to lead their HR Head Office function in Sandton. This pivotal role requires you to ensure the end-to-end accuracy and legal compliance of all payroll activities, from input to final reporting and statutory submissions.

This position offers flexible working hours (e.g., 7am – 4pm or 9am – 6pm, achieving 9 hours per day) in a fully office-based environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Payroll Management & Oversight

End-to-End Management: Manage the entire payroll process for +40 client companies and +4,000 staff, ensuring accurate and timely payment of salaries and wages.
Accuracy & Review: Lead the review and finalisation of all payrolls prior to payment release.
Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to all local labour and tax legislation, including the correct application of Provident Funds, Retirement Fund Interface (RFI) linking, and company vehicle/petrol tax rules.
System Management: Oversee the loading of new employees, application of correct pay rates, and linking of employees to the ERS Biometrics clocking system and Employee Self-Service (ESS).

Financial & Statutory Reporting

Reconciliations: Conduct monthly payment and deduction recons to payroll and actual payments.
Statutory Submissions: Manage the preparation and submission of Monthly EMP 201 and Annual WCA (Workmen's Compensation Act) Return of Earnings.
Financial Integration: Post payroll journals on the ACUMATICA system and ensure accurate salary costs are loaded on Salesforce for approval.
Reporting: Generate statistical reports for HR and Government (UIF, etc.), weekly & monthly payroll expenditure, and leave/absence statistics.

Leadership & System Improvement

Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and elevate a team of payroll specialists, fostering a culture of accuracy and efficiency.
Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement, leveraging systems knowledge for enhanced efficiency and exposure to automation and AI in payroll processes.
New Company Setup: Successfully set up and register new companies on the payroll system for all legislative requirements.
Termination Payments: Ensure correct calculation and processing of all termination payments.

Minimum Requirements:

Qualification: Relevant tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, or HR/Payroll Management.
Experience: Proven experience as a Payroll Manager, having successfully managed a large, multi-entity payroll (+4,000 staff) for multiple companies.
Knowledge: Expert knowledge of South African labour law, tax legislation, and statutory returns (EMP 201, WCA, UIF).
Systems Experience (Highly Advantageous): Practical experience with:
- SAGE 300
- ACUMATICA
- SALESFORCE
- ERS Biometrics
- ESS
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills (all suites)
Attributes: Strong intersection of payroll expertise and financial acumen, proven ability to lead and coach, deadline-driven, and technologically savvy.