National Payroll Manager

SUMMARY:
Are you an experienced Payroll and HR professional with a strong background in managing high-volume payroll operations?

POSITION INFO:
Our client is looking for a hands-on National HR & Payroll Manager to oversee national payroll administration, ensure accurate and timeous payroll processing, strengthen payroll controls and lead a team of HR and payroll administrators across multiple regions and Distribution Centres.

This role is primarily focused on payroll management, including monthly and biweekly payroll cycles, payroll reconciliations, overtime validation, payroll reporting and compliance. The successful candidate will also oversee HR administration and employee lifecycle processes while driving consistent service delivery across the national operation.

This role is based in Isando, Johannesburg East.

Key Responsibilities:
1. National Payroll Management & Administration

• Manage and coordinate the full payroll cycle, ensuring accurate, complete and timeous processing of monthly and biweekly payrolls.
• Consolidate, verify and review payroll inputs from multiple regions and Distribution Centres before submission for processing.
• Oversee payroll changes relating to new appointments, terminations, salary adjustments, allowances, bonuses, deductions, leave and other employee movements.
• Review payroll reports and outputs against approved inputs, investigate discrepancies and ensure corrections are actioned before final approval.
• Manage payroll deadlines, cut-off dates and submission schedules across all sites.
• Ensure payroll queries, discrepancies and employee-related payment issues are resolved efficiently.
• Maintain accurate employee master data and confidential payroll records.

• Conduct detailed payroll reviews to identify discrepancies, irregular payments, duplicate entries and unauthorised changes.
• Reconcile payroll information against approved documentation, timesheets and attendance records.
• Ensure all payroll adjustments and changes are supported by the necessary authorisations.
• Maintain payroll control procedures, approval registers, reconciliations and supporting documentation.
• Develop and implement payroll SOPs, checklists and processes to improve accuracy, consistency and accountability.
• Identify recurring payroll errors, investigate root causes and implement preventative measures.
• Coordinate payroll audits and ensure all supporting documentation is available for internal and external audit requirements.

• Review and validate overtime submissions nationally before payroll processing.
• Verify overtime against approved rosters, clocking records, timesheets, employment contracts and company policies.
• Ensure correct application of overtime rates, Sunday and public holiday payments and shift arrangements.
• Investigate excessive or irregular overtime claims and escalate discrepancies for approval.
• Monitor overtime trends across sites and departments and provide management with relevant reports.
• Ensure accurate integration of time-and-attendance information into payroll.

• Prepare and analyse payroll reports, highlighting discrepancies, payroll movements, overtime trends and outstanding issues.
• Monitor payroll costs, employee movements, leave balances, absenteeism and payroll exceptions.
• Ensure payroll processes comply with relevant South African labour legislation, company policies and internal governance requirements.
• Maintain accurate records relating to employee remuneration, leave, deductions and benefits.
• Ensure payroll information is handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with company requirements.
• Identify opportunities to streamline payroll processes and improve reporting and operational efficiency.

• Oversee HR administration relating to appointments, transfers, contract amendments and terminations.
• Manage employee documentation, onboarding administration, probation tracking and exit processes.
• Coordinate medical aid applications, cancellations, benefit queries and provident fund documentation.
• Oversee leave and absenteeism administration, ensuring accurate records and reconciliations.
• Provide guidance to employees and management on HR policies, benefits and payroll-related queries.
• Support recruitment, selection, reference checks and onboarding activities when required.

• Lead, manage and develop the national HR and payroll administration team.
• Allocate responsibilities, monitor workloads and ensure payroll deadlines and service standards are consistently achieved.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching and support to payroll administrators across all regions and Distribution Centres.
• Manage team performance, identify training needs and implement cross-training to ensure operational continuity.
• Act as the escalation point for complex payroll and HR administration matters.
• Promote accountability, accuracy, confidentiality and consistent application of payroll procedures nationally.

• Matric, together with a Degree or relevant qualification in Human Resources, Payroll Management, Finance or a related field.
• 3–5 years' relevant experience in payroll and HR administration, preferably within FMCG, logistics, distribution or a multi-site environment.
• Proven experience managing or supervising payroll operations and HR/payroll teams across multiple sites or regions.
• Demonstrated experience managing monthly and biweekly payroll cycles.
• Experience reviewing high-volume payroll submissions and coordinating payroll inputs from multiple locations.
• Strong knowledge of payroll reconciliations, overtime calculations, leave administration, employee changes and payroll controls.
• Advanced Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, reconciliations and payroll data analysis.
• Proficiency in payroll systems, Employee Self-Service (ESS) platforms and time-and-attendance systems.
• Good understanding of South African labour legislation and payroll compliance requirements.