Our client is seeking an experienced Group Payroll Officer to take full responsibility for the payroll function across a group of companies, ensuring accurate, compliant and efficient payroll processing for more than 1,000 employees. This role is suited to a detail-oriented payroll specialist with advanced Sage 300 People experience who thrives in a fast-paced environment and has a strong understanding of payroll governance, statutory compliance and payroll system administration.

The successful candidate will lead the payroll department, manage payroll staff, maintain payroll systems, ensure legislative compliance, and provide accurate payroll reporting to management while maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality and accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end payroll function for a group of companies comprising 1,000+ employees.
• Supervise, mentor and manage Payroll Administrators to ensure efficient payroll operations.
• Process accurate and timeous monthly payrolls using Sage 300 People.
• Maintain payroll governance and ensure compliance with all statutory and legislative requirements.
• Reconcile payroll control accounts, payroll control totals, bank files and General Ledger postings.
• Maintain payroll system configurations, parameters and master data.
• Ensure payroll data integrity and accuracy across all payroll systems.
• Prepare and submit all statutory payroll returns, including:
  • EMP201
  • EMP501
  • IRP5 reconciliations
• Liaise with SARS and manage SARS eFiling submissions and payroll-related queries.
• Ensure compliance with South African tax legislation and payroll legislation.
• Administer employee benefits and ensure correct payroll deductions.
• Manage payroll integrations with financial and HR systems.
• Compile executive payroll reports, payroll analysis and management information.
• Support Skills Development, Employment Equity, BBBEE, WSP and ATR reporting through accurate payroll data.
• Prepare payroll records and documentation for Department of Labour inspections and audits.
• Assist with payroll system implementations, upgrades and enhancements.
• Administer and maintain the ERS Biometrics system, including system setup, configuration and maintenance.
• Identify payroll process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy and compliance.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of payroll and employee information.

Inherent Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Diploma in Payroll, Payroll Administration Certificate or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 5 years' experience as a Group Payroll Officer, Payroll Manager or in a similar senior payroll role.
• Experience managing payrolls for 1,000 or more employees across multiple companies.
• Advanced experience in Sage 300 People and Payroll (Non-Negotiable).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience supervising and managing Payroll Administrators.
• Solid understanding of payroll accounting, payroll reconciliations and financial controls.
• Experience maintaining payroll system configurations and integrations.
• Experience implementing or upgrading payroll systems.

Technical Knowledge

• South African payroll legislation.
• SARS legislation and compliance.
• SARS eFiling.
• EMP201 submissions.
• EMP501 reconciliations.
• IRP5 reconciliations.
• Payroll governance and internal controls.
• Payroll General Ledger reconciliations.
• Payroll control accounts.
• Employee benefits administration.
• Skills Development reporting.
• Employment Equity reporting.
• BBBEE reporting.
• WSP and ATR reporting requirements.
• Department of Labour compliance and inspections.
• Payroll data integrity and statutory reporting.

Systems Experience

• Sage 300 People and Payroll (Essential)
• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• ERS Biometrics system
• Payroll and financial system integrations

Advantageous

• Experience within the Metal Industry.
• Experience with payroll system implementations and project involvement.
• Exposure to multi-company payroll environments.

Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail.
• High level of numerical accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict payroll deadlines.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• High level of integrity, discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to interpret legislation and implement compliant payroll processes.
• Continuous improvement mindset with strong process management skills