Payroll and Benefits Manager

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd Permanent

Midrand, South Africa Posted on 11/03/2026

Red Ember Recruitment is recruiting for a Payroll and Benefits Manager for our client in Johannesburg. The purpose of this role is to manage the payroll function by ensuring precise and timely processing of employee compensation while overseeing the administration of salaries, bonuses, employee benefits, leave, and time and attendance. This role includes reviewing and improving payroll processes, developing relevant policies, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Payroll Management:

• Oversee theaccurate and timely processing of salary, bonus, and benefit payments for allemployees, ensuring compliance with local tax laws and internal policies.
• Manage twopayrolls i.e. by ensuring payroll data is processed efficiently and accuratelyfor both organizations.
• Continuouslyassess and refine payroll processes, identifying opportunities for enhancementand implement automation where possible to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Generaterule-based and automated payroll processing, ensuring real-time visibility intopayroll data and improving the overall payroll experience.
• Lead payrollreporting, addressing payroll-related queries, and participating in long-termpayroll planning to ensure consistency and alignment with business goals.
• Perform payrollreconciliations to ensure the accuracy of payroll transactions and resolvediscrepancies as needed.
• Ensurecompliance with South African tax laws by accurately calculating, withholding,and remitting PAYE (Pay As You Earn) taxes for employees.
  
• Manage thetimely and correct filing of employee tax submissions to SARS (South AfricanRevenue Service), ensuring that appropriate tax codes and deductions areapplied to each employee's record

Benefits Administration:

• Manage employeebenefits programs, including medical aid, health insurance, provident fund,leave programs, and wellness initiatives, ensuring accuracy in benefitdeductions and enrollments.
• Administer theemployee benefit fund, ensuring timely payments and compliance with fundmanagement guidelines and regulations.
• Workcollaboratively with the team to promptly address employee queries and providenecessary support.
• Regularly reviewand audit the benefits programs to ensure cost-effectiveness andcompetitiveness within the industry.
• Collaborate withinsurance providers, brokers, and other vendors to maintain current benefitsofferings and negotiate pricing and terms.
• Manage theadministration of the client Provident Fund and ensure its effective oversight.
• Employee Leave and Time & AttendanceManagement
• Compliance and Reporting
• Employee Education and Communication:
• Process Improvement
• Team Management
  
• Matric or equivalent Senior Certificate,
• Degree/Diploma in Human Resources or Payroll Management, Finance,or a related field
• Advantage: Advanced certifications such as South African PayrollAssociation (SAPA) Certification -
• Certified Payroll Professional (Advanced)
  
• Essential: 5+ years of payroll experience, with 2-3 years in asupervisory or managerial role

Familiarity with:

• SARS regulations (PAYE, UIF, SDL)
• BCEA (Basic Conditions of Employment Act)
• COIDA
• Tax Year-End processes
• HR and Payroll systems (e.g., SAP, others)