Payroll Officer

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd | Full time

Cape Town, South Africa | Posted on 06/02/2026

Red Ember Recruitment is seeking to hire a Payroll Officer responsible for the accurate, compliant, and timeous processing of payroll for approximately 649 employees across multiple business units. The role ensures payroll integrity, statutory compliance, and effective support to management and employees while consistently meeting strict monthly payroll deadlines.

Capture, validate, and process monthly payroll inputs across all business units.

Process earnings, deductions, overtime, allowances, leave transactions, and terminations accurately.

Maintain and update employee master data on Labour Net / PSIBER.

Perform payroll reconciliations and pre-run checks to ensure accuracy.

Prepare payroll reports, pay registers, and submit for managerial sign-off.

Upload payroll files for payment release by Finance.

Prepare and reconcile EMP
201 submissions and ensure payments by statutory deadlines.

Process pension/provident fund contributions and withdrawals.

Manage UIF, COIDA/WCA compliance, and SARS payroll queries.

Reconcile all third-party deductions (medical aid, garnishees, provident funds, etc.).

Ensure employees are correctly linked to leave types and accrual rules.

Support managers with ESS approvals, access, and troubleshooting.

Maintain ESS profiles, access rights, and master data.

Maintain the Time & Attendance system, including biometric enrolments.

Monitor and resolve clocking discrepancies and ensure payroll integration accuracy.

Verify all new starter documentation before system loading.

Maintain strict payroll confidentiality and data integrity.

Publish payslips on ESS on payday.

Prepare monthly payroll reports for Finance and Management.

Support audits, year-end processes, and IRP5 submissions.

Assist senior finance leadership with payroll queries and analysis.

Build strong working relationships with HR, Finance, and Operational Managers.

Identify and recommend payroll process improvements.

Perform additional payroll-related tasks as operationally required.

• Relevant HR Degree or Diploma
• Payroll or Labour Law certification (advantageous)

• 3–5 years’ payroll processing experience (essential)
• Experience using Labour Net Payroll Solutions / PSIBER (essential)
• Payroll processing for 300+ employees (advantageous)
• Exposure to multiple payroll systems (advantageous)
• HR experience (advantageous)

• Strong working knowledge of BCEA, LRA, SARS, UIF, and statutory reporting
• Advanced MS Office proficiency
• Ability to communicate effectively at executive level
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines