Payroll Administrator

About the role

An established organisation in Johannesburg needs a Payroll Administrator to support its Payroll Manager in a high-output HR department. The role drives the accuracy and integrity of a complex payroll function serving 800 employees, covering end-to-end processing of several payroll entities with a focus on shift-worker dynamics and manual timesheet reconciliation. It is a full-time, office-based position.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Payroll Officer in running end-to-end payroll cycles for 800 employees across various entities
• Load and reconcile payroll inputs such as earnings, deductions, allowances and ad-hoc payments, with complete supporting documentation for each batch
• Capture and validate shift data from manual timesheets, including rosters, overtime, night shifts and public holiday premiums
• Ensure compliance with South African PAYE, UIF and SDL legislation and apply tax directives and internal policies correctly
• Manage medical aid and retirement fund memberships and deductions, including provident fund claims
• Act as first point of contact for staff queries on payslips, leave and benefits
• Maintain an audit trail and help prepare schedules and documents for internal or external audits

Required profile

• Matric (Grade 12)
• At least 5 years' experience in payroll administration in a medium-to-large organisation
• Experience with shift-worker environments and manual capture of high-volume timesheets
• Solid knowledge of South African payroll law and statutory deductions
• Practical experience with medical aid and retirement fund administration and claims
• Preferred: a formal payroll qualification; experience across cost centres and legal entities

Required skills

• Sage 300 People for payroll processing
• Advanced Excel, including VLOOKUP and Pivot Tables
• SARS e-Filing / e@syFile