Payroll Manager

SUMMARY:
Ready to shape strategy, lead teams, and elevate payroll excellence? Step into a role built for senior impact.

POSITION INFO:
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