Company and Job Description:
Are you a seasoned payroll professional ready to lead a high-performing team in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment? A leading organisation in the automotive sector is seeking an exceptional Payroll Manager to oversee the full payroll function for more than 4,000 employees across 40+ business units.
 
This role is perfect for a strategic, detail-driven leader who thrives under pressure, values accuracy, and excels in managing people, processes, and compliance.
 
The Payroll Manager is responsible for end-to-end payroll management, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely compensation while upholding legislative requirements and strong internal controls.
You will lead a skilled payroll team, collaborate with Finance and HR, and drive the continuous improvement of payroll systems, controls, and processes.
 
Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee full payroll operations for 4,000+ employees across multiple entities
• Develop and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks
• Ensure accurate payroll processing (weekly, monthly) and correct application of pay rates, taxes, benefits, and deductions
• Prepare payroll-related GL entries, journals, reconciliations, and financial reports
• Perform variance analyses and manage discrepancy investigations
• Handle statutory filings and compliance (EMP201, biannual SARS submissions, WCA return of earnings, UIF, SDL, COIDA, etc.)
• Manage provident fund updates, RFI linking, company vehicle and petrol tax compliance
• Ensure accurate onboarding/offboarding, earnings setup, and ESS utilisation
• Lead and mentor payroll teams, driving efficiency and innovation
• Oversee bank payment loading, salary approvals via Salesforce, and journal posting
• Support internal and external audits with documentation and process explanations
• Ensure successful payroll setup for new entities and all related statutory registrations
• Deliver statistical, financial, and operational reports to HR, Finance, and regulatory bodies
• Champion automation, AI-driven efficiencies, and continuous improvement

Job Experience and Skills Required:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent
10+ years end-to-end payroll experience, including management or supervisory roles
Strong knowledge of payroll legislation (SARS, UIF, SDL, BCEA, MIBCO/PSIRA)
Proficiency in Sage 300 and advanced Microsoft Excel
Exceptional analytical ability, accuracy, and financial acumen
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to manage strict deadlines and multiple priorities
Willingness to visit multiple client branches when required
 
Apply now!
 
For more exciting (Finance/ Engineering/ IT / Supply Chain / Commercial & C-Suite) vacancies, please visit: www.********.co.za
 
If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider the vacancy application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable roles / positions.

For more information, contact:
Juanette Lotter
Executive Consultant

This is a critical leadership role that requires technical expertise, exceptional accuracy, and the ability to drive compliance and efficiency across all payroll processes.

This role is based in Sandton.

Key Responsibilities:

End-to-End Payroll Leadership

• Manage and oversee all payroll operations, ensuring employees are paid accurately, on time, and in full compliance with labour and tax legislation.
• Establish, improve, and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal control frameworks.
• Ensure strict adherence to regulatory requirements such as SARS, UIF, SDL, BCEA, PSIRA, and MIBCO.

Financial Governance & Reporting

• Prepare payroll-related general ledger entries, reconciliation files, and detailed variance analyses.
• Investigate irregularities or discrepancies and implement corrective and preventative solutions.
• Prepare and submit statutory returns, including EMP201, bi-annual SARS submissions, WCA returns, and other required reports.

Audit & Compliance

• Provide full support during internal and external audits, including documentation preparation and explanation of payroll processes.
• Ensure new companies are set up correctly in the payroll system and registered with all legislative bodies.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with Finance and HR to align payroll cycles with accounting requirements and ensure accurate employee data management.
• Provide guidance and high-level support on complex payroll, tax, benefit, and legislative queries.

Team Leadership & Performance

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of payroll professionals, driving accuracy, teamwork, and service excellence.
• Promote continuous improvement, automation, and innovation within payroll processes and technology.

Operational Responsibilities

• Oversee termination calculations, leave administration, employee onboarding on systems, and statutory benefit integrations (e.g., provident funds).
• Ensure all monthly payroll reconciliations are complete—including salary cost uploads, deduction reconciliations, and banking approvals.
• Load bank payments and ensure correct segregation of duties for all payroll and banking activities.
• Produce weekly and monthly payroll, leave, and absence statistics for HR and management.
• Ensure optimal usage of ESS for leave and employee records.

System & Process Expertise

• Support the implementation of new payroll setups and system configurations.
• Ensure employee information is accurately linked to systems such as clocking, ESS, and financial platforms.
• Drive system improvements and leverage technology (automation, AI, digital workflows) to streamline operations.

Job Experience and Skills Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or similar.
• 10+ years’ experience in full-function payroll, with at least 5 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Strong knowledge of payroll legislation, tax rules, and compliance requirements.
• Solid understanding of financial principles, GL processes, and payroll accounting.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, reconciliations).
• Proven ability to lead teams in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to visit client sites when required.

Apply now!
 
For more exciting Finance vacancies, please visit: www.********.co.za
 
If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider the vacancy application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable roles / positions.

 

Our client in the insurance sector is urgently seeking an immediately available Payroll Manager to take full ownership of payroll operations for a large, complex employee base.

Key Responsibilities:

• End-to-end payroll management for large staff complements across multiple business units
• Oversee payroll compliance, statutory submissions, IRP5s, EMP501s, PAYE, UIF, COIDA
• Manage payroll audits, controls, governance and risk management
• Maintain and optimise payroll systems (Sage, SAP, Oracle or similar)

Job Experience & Skills Required:

• Proven experience managing high-volume payrolls (1,000+ employees ideal)
• Strong knowledge of insurance-sector structures, benefits and remuneration practices
• Up-to-date understanding of payroll legislation and regulatory requirements
• Exceptional stakeholder-management and communication capability

Apply Now!

For more exciting (Finance/ Engineering/ IT / Supply Chain / Commercial & C-Suite) vacancies, please visit: www.********.co.za;
 
I also specialize in recruiting in the following:

• Junior to senior Finance professionals within Insurance, Banking, investments, and financial services

If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider the vacancy application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable roles / positions.

For more information, contact:
Ameer Gajadur
Finance Recruitment Specialist
linkedin.com/in/ameer-gajadur-3838b0222