Senior Payroll Administrator

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 450,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd is sourcing a Senior Payroll Administrator to support the payroll function based in Johannesburg, Gauteng. This role handles monthly payroll cycles, employee data management, overtime processing and payroll queries, ensuring compliance with SA labour legislation and company policies.

The ideal candidate has extensive Sage 300 experience, strong Excel skills, and meticulous attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years’ payroll administration experience in high-volume environments.
• Experience processing payroll for permanent and temporary staff.
• Proficient with Sage 300 and Excel data tools.
• Knowledge of SA labour legislation and tax implications.

Responsibilities

• Process monthly and weekly payroll for 3000+ employees across branches.
• Manage employee data, deductions, and allowances in Sage 300.
• Reconcile overtime, attendance, and clocking with ERS/Excel tools.
• Handle payroll queries and provide timely responses to staff and HR.
• Ensure compliance with South African labour laws and NBCRFLI rules.

Skills

Payroll processing

Sage 300

Data accuracy

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication

Independent & team work

Education

Tertiary qualification in Payroll Administration

Matric (Grade 12)

Tools

Sage 300

ERS Clocking System

Excel

Job description

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd | Contract

Senior Payroll Administrator

Johannesburg, South Africa | Posted on 19/10/2026

Red Ember Recruitment is seeking, on behalf of our client, a Senior Payroll Administrator to support the payroll function based in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

The Senior Payroll Administrator will be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for mainly temporary and permanent staff across departments and branches. This role supports mostly monthly payroll cycles, employee data management, overtime processing, and payroll-related queries, ensuring compliance with company policies and South African labour legislation.

Responsibilities

1. Payroll Processing (Weekly & Monthly)

• Capture and process monthly payroll registers for:
• Permanent branch/operational employees
• Temporary employees
• Process once-off and ad-hoc payments as required.
• Capture and process payroll transactions on Sage 300, including:
• Allowances and earnings
• Generate payroll CSV files and submit for payment within required deadlines.
• Perform payroll reconciliations and spot checks to ensure accuracy.
• Print payroll summaries and submit sign-off documentation to HR.
• Receive, compile, and verify overtime submissions from Area and Regional Managers.
• Manage and reconcile clocking’s using the ERS Clocking System.
• Validate overtime sheets against clocking reports using Excel tools (e.g. VLOOKUP, pivot tables).
• Distribute overtime sign-off sheets to kiosks and ensure staff verification prior to payroll finalisation.

3. Employee Data & HR Administration

• Load and maintain employee records on Sage 300, including:
• New appointments (casuals, temps, permanent staff)
• Promotions, acting allowances, transfers
• Addendums and salary adjustments
• Personal and banking detail changes
• Process HR documentation timeously and ensure accurate payroll updates.
• Maintain clear records of terminations, end-of-contracts, and resignations.
• Administer leave transactions, balances, corrections, and reconciliations.
• Action leave-related queries including cancellations and amendments.
• Process UIF documentation (UI19s, maternity leave, illness claims).
• Support labour audits and inspections by compiling clocking’s and payment reconciliations.
• Ensure payroll compliance with South African labour and statutory requirements.

5. Deductions & Allowances

• Process payroll deductions including:
• Garnishees and maintenance orders
• Acknowledgements of debt (AODs)
• Traffic fines and uniform deductions
• Service failure or kiosk-related deductions
• Process allowances such as:
• Vehicle branding
• Call-outs and ad-hoc operational payments

6. Payroll Queries & Support

• Serve as a point of contact for payroll and salary-related queries from staff, managers, and HR.
• Respond to payroll-related emails and provide feedback within agreed turnaround times.
• Support the Payroll Manager and team with ad-hoc payroll and administrative tasks.

Requirements

• Minimum 7 years’ payroll administration experience, preferably in a high-volume or operational environment (3000+ employees).
• Matric (Grade 12).
• Tertiary qualification in Payroll Administration is required.
• Knowledge of employee tax implications.
• Knowledge of medical aids and National Bargaining Council (NBCRFLI) rules.
• Knowledge of ROE submissions.
• Knowledge of Equity submissions.
• Proven experience processing payroll on Sage 300, minimum 2 years.
• Experience with casual, temporary, and shift-based payrolls (advantageous).
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills and deadline-driven approach.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Dependable, flexible, and able to perform under pressure.