Johannesburg: Payroll Manager

Payroll Manager | Randburg | Permanent Own the end-to-end payroll engine for a large, fast-moving operation. If you thrive on accuracy at scale and enjoy improving processes that keep thousands paid on time, this role is for you. You’ll lead the monthly and weekly payroll cycles for a workforce of approximately 3,200 employees, ensuring timely, compliant and accurate payments. You’ll manage a small team of payroll specialists, tighten controls, and drive automation across systems and reporting. Partnering closely with HR and Finance, you will resolve complex queries, reconcile payroll accounts, and keep stakeholders confident with clear MI and audit-ready documentation. Our client is a national logistics and courier business with high operational tempo and multiple employment categories. They’re growing through acquisition and require a pragmatic payroll leader who can integrate new entities, standardise policies and keep the machine running smoothly while elevating the function. What You’ll Do • Manage full payroll operations for ±3,200 employees across monthly and weekly runs • Lead, coach and quality-assure a team of payroll specialists • Oversee statutory submissions: PAYE EMP201 (monthly), year-end PAYE, IRP5 issuance, UIF declarations, Employment Equity and COIDA/Return of Earnings • Handle complex calculations and compliance: overtime, shift premiums, bonuses, garnishments, deductions and tax directives • Reconcile payroll to GL, partner with Finance on month-end and audits, and deliver accurate management reports and projections • Integrate newly acquired entities into existing payroll systems and standards • Maintain data integrity, confidentiality and robust internal controls • Liaise with HR on onboarding/offboarding, benefits, and policy adherence • Evaluate vendors and tools; streamline processes to reduce cycle time and errors What You Bring • Proven experience managing high-volume payrolls (1,000 headcount; logistics or industrial environments advantageous) • Strong working knowledge of South African payroll legislation and tax compliance • Hands-on expertise with payroll systems: Pastel Payroll, VIP Payroll and/or People 300 • Advanced Excel/reporting skills and comfort with reconciliations and audits • Team leadership experience with a track record of upskilling and performance management • Calm, service-oriented problem solver able to resolve queries quickly and professionally • High integrity with meticulous attention to detail and strong documentation discipline What Success Looks Like • Every run on time, error rates trending down, and clean reconciliations each month • Zero missed statutory deadlines; audit findings addressed proactively • Standardised processes and controls that scale with growth and acquisitions • Clear dashboards and reports that help the COO/CFO forecast cost and headcount • A capable, engaged payroll team delivering responsive service to the business