Senior Payroll & HR Specialist

Description:

My client, a well established company based in Somerset West is seeking to employ a Senior Payroll & HR Specialist with at least 5 years relevant experience in payroll or in a similar role. The successful candidate will have a Degree in HR Management Industrial Psychology / Financial or Commercial degree (advantageous) Working knowledge of payroll systems (SAGE VIP, People Soft, PaySpace) and experience in African country payroll administration Responsibilities :

Payroll

• Manage the full payroll function for weekly, fortnightly, and monthly cycles, including processing new hires, terminations, salary changes, and schedule updates
• Accurately execute end-to-end payroll processes, including reconciliations, variance checks, and final approvals for submission
• Review, validate, and submit payroll reconciliations and financial reports to the Group Financial Manager to support audit readiness and financial reporting obligations
• Calculate and process annual increases, performance bonuses, and other incentive payments in line with company policy
• Manage variable payroll components such as casual wages, loans, and commissions
• Resolve payroll-related queries, including SARS tax matters, leave entitlements, and salary administration issues
• Maintain accurate leave records and ensure statutory compliance
• Complete and submit bi-annual and annual SARS EMP501 reconciliations with precision and compliance
• Ensure all payroll and employee documentation is accurately filed and maintained for audit and compliance purposes
• Administer benefits-related processes including pension/provident fund contributions and medical insurance schedules
• Process maternity leave payroll and compile supporting documentation for Department of Labour submissions
• Submit quarterly labour reports to STATSSA and ensure data accuracy
• Handle all aspects of COIDA compliance, including registration, returns, and payments
• Prepare and present payroll and remuneration data for management reporting and decision-making purposes
• Provide strategic remuneration and benefits reporting and insights to senior management
• Continuously evaluate and improve payroll processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with legislative changes and best practices

HR Administration:

• Maintaining records of employee data in both paper and the database and ensure all employment requirements are met
• Digitize and archive employee documentation efficiently to support a paperless records management strategy
• Administer and monitor pension fund, provident fund, and medical insurance documentation to ensure all employee benefits information remains current and compliant
• Support the employee onboarding process by preparing contracts, benefits documentation, and induction materials, ensuring a seamless experience for new hires
• Perform ad-hoc HR administrative tasks as required to support broader HR and compliance objectives

Key Skills:

• Analytical with good math skills
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to handle and prioritise multiple tasks and meet all deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently
• Proficient in using MS Excel (V-lookups, pivot tables and graphs)
• PaySpace knowledge will be advantageous

Requirements:

• Manage the full payroll function for weekly, fortnightly, and monthly cycles, including processing new hires, terminations, salary changes, and schedule updates
• Accurately execute end-to-end payroll processes, including reconciliations, variance checks, and final approvals for submission
• Review, validate, and submit payroll reconciliations and financial reports to the Group Financial Manager to support audit readiness and financial reporting obligations
• Calculate and process annual increases, performance bonuses, and other incentive payments in line with company policy
• Manage variable payroll components such as casual wages, loans, and commissions
• Resolve payroll-related queries, including SARS tax matters, leave entitlements, and salary administration issues
• Maintain accurate leave records and ensure statutory compliance
• Complete and submit bi-annual and annual SARS EMP501 reconciliations with precision and compliance
• Ensure all payroll and employee documentation is accurately filed and maintained for audit and compliance purposes
• Administer benefits-related processes including pension/provident fund contributions and medical insurance schedules
• Process maternity leave payroll and compile supporting documentation for Department of Labour submissions
• Submit quarterly labour reports to STATSSA and ensure data accuracy
• Handle all aspects of COIDA compliance, including registration, returns, and payments
• Prepare and present payroll and remuneration data for management reporting and decision-making purposes
• Provide strategic remuneration and benefits reporting and insights to senior management
• Continuously evaluate and improve payroll processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with legislative changes and best practices

• Maintaining records of employee data in both paper and the database and ensure all employment requirements are met
• Digitize and archive employee documentation efficiently to support a paperless records management strategy
• Administer and monitor pension fund, provident fund, and medical insurance documentation to ensure all employee benefits information remains current and compliant
• Support the employee onboarding process by preparing contracts, benefits documentation, and induction materials, ensuring a seamless experience for new hires
• Perform ad-hoc HR administrative tasks as required to support broader HR and compliance objectives

• Analytical with good math skills
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to handle and prioritise multiple tasks and meet all deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise extreme discretion
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently
• Proficient in using MS Excel (V-lookups, pivot tables and graphs)
• PaySpace knowledge will be advantageous