Job Description

PAYROLL SUPERVISOR

Location: Johannesburg
Industry: Corporate / Shared Services

A leading organisation is seeking an experienced Payroll Supervisor to support and oversee the end-to-end payroll function within a high-volume, complex environment.

This role is ideal for a senior payroll professional with strong systems expertise and leadership capability, who can ensure accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence across payroll processes.

THE ROLE

You will act as the second-in-command to the Payroll Manager, ensuring the smooth execution of payroll operations while maintaining strict compliance with statutory and organisational requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

Payroll Processing & Control

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  Overseeing and verifying the full payroll process for both salaried and wage employees
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  Ensuring all payroll inputs, earnings, and deductions are accurate and authorised
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  Managing employee lifecycle changes, including new hires, terminations, transfers, and promotions
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  Ensuring correct processing of CTC structures, fringe benefits, and allowances
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  Monitoring payroll timelines and ensuring all deadlines are met

Compliance & Statutory Reporting

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  Managing SARS submissions, including EMP201 and EMP501 reconciliations
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  Overseeing IRP5 generation and distribution
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  Ensuring compliance with all statutory, tax, and regulatory requirements
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  Maintaining audit-ready payroll records and documentation

Benefits & Third-Party Administration

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  Managing medical aid and provident fund reconciliations and submissions
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  Ensuring accurate processing of third-party payments (e.g. garnishees, unions, statutory contributions)
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  Coordinating submission schedules and ensuring timely payments
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  Maintaining accuracy of employee benefits and deductions

Reconciliation & Reporting

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  Performing payroll reconciliations and supporting general ledger integration
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  Assisting with monthly reporting, including cost and provision reports
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  Supporting audits and ensuring compliance with financial reporting requirements
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  Identifying and resolving discrepancies within payroll data

Team Support & Supervision

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  Supervising payroll staff in the absence of the Payroll Manager
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  Providing guidance, support, and oversight to the payroll team
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  Ensuring adherence to payroll policies, processes, and standards

Systems, Documentation & Continuous Improvement

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  Maintaining payroll systems and ensuring data integrity (VIP/Sage or similar)
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  Managing employee self-service processes (e.g. payslip distribution)
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  Updating and maintaining payroll documentation and procedures
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  Driving process improvements and operational efficiencies

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Key requirements:

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  Grade 12 (essential)
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  Payroll-related qualification
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  Minimum 10 years' experience in a large-scale payroll environment
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  At least 5 years' experience in a senior payroll role
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  Experience managing both weekly wages and monthly payroll
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  Strong experience with payroll systems (VIP ESSENTIAL)
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  Proven expertise in payroll reconciliations and reporting
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  Strong understanding of payroll compliance and legislation

Advantageous:

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  VIP Payroll certification
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  Experience in high-volume or multi-entity payroll environments

WHO YOU ARE

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  Highly detail-oriented with strong accuracy
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  Organised and methodical in approach
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  Able to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
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  A strong problem-solver with analytical thinking ability
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  Dependable, accountable, and professional
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  A team player with leadership capability

WHY THIS ROLE

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  Opportunity to work in a complex, high-volume payroll environment
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  Key role supporting payroll governance and compliance
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  Exposure to full-function payroll operations
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  Opportunity to step into a leadership support role
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  Stable and structured environment with strong process focus