A leading organisation within the automotive industry is seeking an experienced Payroll Manager to take full ownership of its end-to-end payroll function. This is a high-impact role suited to a seasoned payroll professional who can manage complex, high-volume payrolls while ensuring strict compliance with South African labour and tax legislation. Supporting a staff complement of more than 4,000 employees across 40+ client companies, the Payroll Manager will play a critical role in safeguarding payroll accuracy, strengthening financial controls, and driving continuous improvement within the payroll environment

Responsibilities 

• Oversee and manage full payroll operations for 4000+ employees across multiple entities.

• Develop, implement, and maintain payroll policies, procedures, and internal controls.

• Ensure compliance with all payroll-related legislation and tax requirements.

• Collaborate with Finance and HR to ensure accurate data flow and alignment with accounting calendars.

• Prepare and process payroll GL entries, variance analyses, and monthly reconciliations.

• Identify, investigate, and resolve payroll discrepancies with corrective action plans.

• Prepare and submit tax filings, including bi-annual SARS submissions.

• Support internal and external audits with required documentation and explanations.

• Manage complex employee payroll queries with accuracy and professionalism.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of payroll specialists and administrators.

• Handle EMP201 submissions, WCA return of earnings, provident fund linking, vehicle and petrol tax updates, leave system accuracy, and ESS alignment.

• Process terminations, monthly payment reconciliations, deduction reconciliations, and bank payment uploads.

• Load salary costs on Salesforce for approval, post journals on Acumatica, and maintain all earning lines and calculation methods.

• Successfully onboard new companies onto payroll systems and manage all statutory registrations.

• Provide statistical reports to HR and government (UIF, etc.), weekly/monthly payroll expenditure reports, and manage ESS usage.

• Drive innovation through automation, system optimisation, and AI-enabled payroll improvements.

Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

• Minimum 10 years’ end-to-end payroll experience, including management or supervisory roles.

• Strong understanding of accounting principles and payroll-related financial reporting.

• Extensive knowledge of payroll legislation, tax regulations, and statutory requirements (SARS, UIF, SDL, BCEA, PSIRA or MIBCO).

• Proficiency in Sage 300 and advanced Excel (formulas, pivot tables, reconciliations).

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and numerical skills with exceptional attention to detail.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement.

• Strong ability to work under pressure and meet strict, non-negotiable deadlines.

• Willingness to travel to client branches when required (40+ entities).

Systems Used

• Sage 300

• Acumatica

• Salesforce

• ERS Biometrics

• ESS

• WCA / RMA Online

• SARS Online Systems

• Online Banking Platforms

• Microsoft Suite (Advanced)

Benefits

• Salary: Based on experience and qualifications.

• Contact Hire Resolve for your next career-changing move today

  • Apply for this role today, contact Gustav Vogel at Hire Resolve or on LinkedIn
  • You can also visit the Hire Resolve website: hireresolve.us or email us your CV: gustav.vogel@hireresolve.us
  • Please use "Payroll Manager" as your subject line when applying via email 

  We will contact you telephonically in 3 days should you be suitable for this vacancy. If you are not suitable, we will put your CV on file and contact you regarding any future