Payroll and Benefits Manager

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd Permanent

Midrand, South Africa Posted on 13/03/2026

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 the accurate and timely processing of salary, bonus, and benefit payments for all employees, ensuring compliance with local tax laws and internal policies.
• Manage two payrolls i.e. by ensuring payroll data is processed efficiently and accurately for both organizations.
• Continuously assess and refine payroll processes, identifying opportunities for enhancement and implement automation where possible to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Generate rule-based and automated payroll processing, ensuring real-time visibility into payroll data and improving the overall payroll experience.
• Lead payroll reporting, addressing payroll-related queries, and participating in long-term payroll planning to ensure consistency and alignment with business goals.
• Perform payroll reconciliations to ensure the accuracy of payroll transactions and resolve discrepancies as needed.
• Ensure compliance with South African tax laws by accurately calculating, withholding, and remitting PAYE (Pay As You Earn) taxes for employees.
• Manage the timely and correct filing of employee tax submissions to SARS (South African Revenue Service), ensuring that appropriate tax codes and deductions are applied to each employee's record.

Benefits Administration:

• Manage employee benefits programs, including medical aid, health insurance, provident fund, leave programs, and wellness initiatives, ensuring accuracy in benefit deductions and enrollments.
• Administer the employee benefit fund, ensuring timely payments and compliance with fund management guidelines and regulations.
• Work collaboratively with the team to promptly address employee queries and provide necessary support.
• Regularly review and audit the benefits programs to ensure cost-effectiveness and competitiveness within the industry.
• Collaborate with insurance providers, brokers, and other vendors to maintain current benefits offerings and negotiate pricing and terms.
• Manage the administration of the client Provident Fund and ensure its effective oversight.
• Employee Leave and Time & Attendance Management.
• 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 Payroll Association (SAPA) Certification.
• Advantage: Certified Payroll Professional (Advanced).
• Essential: 5+ years of payroll experience, with 2-3 years in a supervisory 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)