Payroll Manager – CAPE TOWN

Smilers; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Smilers in Cape Town seeks a Senior Payroll Manager to oversee the complete payroll function across the organisation, ensuring compliance with SA payroll legislation and data security. You will manage payroll staff and optimize Sage 300 People usage.

The role requires extensive SA payroll experience, leadership of multi-site payrolls, and a focus on accuracy, timeliness, and audit readiness. Strong reporting and budgeting collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8-10 years payroll experience.
• Minimum 5 years in a Payroll Management role.
• Extensive hands-on experience working with Sage 300 People.
• Experience managing payrolls for 1 500 employees.
• Strong understanding of South African payroll legislation.
• Hospitality, catering, manufacturing, or multi-site payroll experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end payroll for all staff (perm, temp, contract, exec).
• Ensure payroll accuracy and deadlines.
• Review and authorize payroll before release.
• Manage monthly, weekly, and ad hoc cycles.
• Implement payroll controls to minimize risk.
• Perform reconciliations and resolve discrepancies.
• Serve as Sage 300 People SME and generate payroll reports.

Skills

Payroll Management

Sage 300 People

Compliance & Governance

Financial Reconciliation

Staff Mentoring

Reporting & Analytics

Education

Diploma or Degree in Payroll Administration or Related Field

Sage 300 People Certification

Payroll Professional Certification

Tools

Sage 300 People

Job description

The Senior Payroll Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the complete payroll function across the organization –compliance with all statutory and legislative requirements, effective management of payroll staff, and the optimization of payroll processes through the effective use of Sage 300 People

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the end-to-end payroll process for permanent, temporary, contract, and executive employees.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and within prescribed deadlines.
• Review and authorize payroll before final release.
• Manage monthly, weekly, and ad hoc payroll cycles where applicable.
• Implement payroll controls to minimize risk and ensure accuracy.
• Perform payroll reconciliations and resolve discrepancies promptly.

Sage 300 AdministrationServe as the subject matter expert on Sage 300 People..

• Generate and analyze payroll reports for management.
• Ensure data integrity and system security.

Statutory Compliance Ensure compliance with all South African payroll legislation manage SARS submissions and reconciliations

Ensure compliance with POPIA and payroll confidentiality requirements.

Payroll Accounting & Reconciliations

• Reconcile payroll accounts monthly.
• Prepare payroll journals and interface files for Finance.
• Work closely with Finance regarding salary provisions, bonuses, leave liabilities, and year-end reporting.
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting salary costs.
• Manage and mentor payroll administrators and support staff.

Audits and Reporting

• Prepare payroll information for internal and external audits.
• Ensure payroll records are accurate, maintained, and audit compliant.
• Produce monthly reports for management

Desired Experience & Qualification

• Diploma or Degree in:
  • Payroll Administration ORRelated Field
• Sage 300 People Certification is essential.
• Payroll Professional certification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 8-10 years payroll experience.
• Minimum 5 years in a Payroll Management role.
• Extensive hands‑on experience working with Sage 300 People.
• Experience managing payrolls 1 500 employees.
• Strong understanding of South African payroll legislation.
• Hospitality, catering, manufacturing, or multi‑site payroll experience advantageous.