Payroll Manager

Executive Career Opportunity: Payroll Manager

Location: HR Head Office in Sandton, Gauteng Industry Sector: Automotive (Large Multi-Company Group) Salary: Competitive Market-Related CTC Package Start Date: January 2026 Work Arrangement: Full-Time, On-Site (No hybrid option)

Are you a highly experienced Payroll Manager with a strong blend of payroll expertise and financial acumen, capable of managing a large, multi-company payroll for over 4,000 staff ?

Our client, a leading group in the Automotive sector , is seeking a meticulous and decisive Payroll Manager to lead their HR Head Office function in Sandton. This pivotal role requires you to ensure the end-to-end accuracy and legal compliance of all payroll activities, from input to final reporting and statutory submissions.

This position offers flexible working hours (e.g., 7am – 4pm or 9am – 6pm, achieving 9 hours per day) in a fully office-based environment.

Key Responsibilities

Payroll Management & Oversight

End-to-End Management: Manage the entire payroll process for +40 client companies and +4,000 staff , ensuring accurate and timely payment of salaries and wages.

Accuracy & Review: Lead the review and finalisation of all payrolls prior to payment release.

Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to all local labour and tax legislation, including the correct application of Provident Funds, Retirement Fund Interface (RFI) linking, and company vehicle/petrol tax rules.

System Management: Oversee the loading of new employees, application of correct pay rates, and linking of employees to the ERS Biometrics clocking system and Employee Self-Service (ESS) .

Financial & Statutory Reporting

Reconciliations: Conduct monthly payment and deduction recons to payroll and actual payments.

Statutory Submissions: Manage the preparation and submission of Monthly EMP 201 and Annual WCA (Workmen's Compensation Act) Return of Earnings .

Financial Integration: Post payroll journals on the ACUMATICA system and ensure accurate salary costs are loaded on Salesforce for approval.

Reporting: Generate statistical reports for HR and Government (UIF, etc.), weekly & monthly payroll expenditure, and leave/absence statistics.

Leadership & System Improvement

Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and elevate a team of payroll specialists, fostering a culture of accuracy and efficiency .

Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement, leveraging systems knowledge for enhanced efficiency and exposure to automation and AI in payroll processes.

New Company Setup: Successfully set up and register new companies on the payroll system for all legislative requirements.

Termination Payments: Ensure correct calculation and processing of all termination payments.

Minimum Requirements

Qualification: Relevant tertiary qualification in Finance, Accounting, or HR/Payroll Management.

Experience: Proven experience as a Payroll Manager, having successfully managed a large, multi-entity payroll (+4,000 staff) for multiple companies.

Knowledge: Expert knowledge of South African labour law, tax legislation, and statutory returns (EMP 201, WCA, UIF).

Systems Experience (Highly Advantageous): Practical experience with

SAGE 300

ACUMATICA

SALESFORCE

ERS Biometrics

ESS

Advanced Microsoft Office skills (all suites)

Attributes: Strong intersection of payroll expertise and financial acumen , proven ability to lead and coach, deadline-driven, and technologically savvy.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced and astute professional ready to take on this career-defining role starting in 2026:

Send your comprehensive CV to the Hire Resolve team.

Connect with Lidene Pienaar via LinkedIn today!

? Contact: financialcareers@hireresolve.za.com

? Website: www.hireresolve.co.za

Reference: EquitiesRegSpec_2026