Payroll Administrator

SUMMARY:
We're looking for a Payroll Administrator to join our dynamic team where your expertise will play a critical role in ensuring accurate, compliant and seamless payroll processing from start to finish.

POSITION INFO:
This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of high-volume payrolls, employee lifecycle administration, statutory compliance and payroll reporting. You'll work closely with HR, Finance and Operations while ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time, every time. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Process weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly payrolls from start to finish, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies and legislative requirements. Manage the full employee payroll lifecycle, including new employee onboarding, employee transfers, promotions, salary amendments, leave processing, deductions, terminations, and employee record maintenance. Ensure all payroll input documentation is received from HR and Operations within the prescribed payroll deadlines. Verify the accuracy and completeness of timesheets, overtime, allowances, and other payroll inputs before processing. Ensure all SARS instructions, including ITA88s and debt collection directives relating to temporary employees, are actioned accordingly. Capture, maintain, and reconcile employee leave records, ensuring all leave transactions are accurately processed in accordance with company policy and applicable legislation. Ensure all employee documentation is uploaded, maintained, and accurately recorded within the PaySpace payroll system. Calculate and process all statutory and voluntary deductions, including PAYE, UIF, SDL, pension fund, provident fund, medical aid, garnishee orders, and other authorised deductions. Administer payroll in accordance with MEIBC Bargaining Council agreements, wage schedules, overtime provisions, leave provisions, and other applicable bargaining council requirements. Review payroll reports, identify discrepancies, investigate payroll variances, and implement corrective actions before payroll is finalised. Perform payroll reconciliations to ensure payroll balances reconcile with supporting documentation. Generate, review, and distribute payroll reports, management reports, and ad hoc reports within agreed timelines. Prepare and print payroll net payment listings and ensure the accurate processing of weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly EFT payment schedules. Prepare and submit all statutory payroll returns and ensure compliance with SARS, UIF, and other regulatory reporting requirements. Respond to payroll-related queries from employees, managers, HR, Finance, and Operations professionally and within agreed service levels. Maintain confidentiality of payroll information and ensure compliance with POPIA and company data security policies. Maintain accurate employee master data and ensure payroll records are complete, current, and audit-ready at all times. Support internal and external payroll audits by preparing payroll schedules, reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation. Identify opportunities to improve payroll processes, controls, and efficiencies within the PaySpace system. Ensure compliance with company policies, labour legislation, statutory regulations, and internal payroll controls. Prepare and submit monthly MEIBC returns in accordance with Bargaining Council requirements and prescribed deadlines. Prepare and process all payroll-related exit documentation for terminating employees, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company policies and statutory requirements. Perform any other payroll or administrative duties reasonably assigned by management. EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS: A Certificate or Diploma in Payroll is essential. Membership with the South African Payroll Association (SAPA) will be considered an added advantage. EXPERIENCE: Minimum 3 - 6 years payroll experience. Experience processing high-volume payrolls is essential. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel. SKILLS: Sound understanding of PAYE, UIF, SDL, COIDA, and other statutory payroll deductions. Knowledge of bargaining councils and labour legislation. Ability to handle large volumes of payroll data efficiently and accurately. Strong administrative, analytical and numerical skills. Attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment. Ability to identify discrepancies and implement corrective actions promptly. Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.