Junior Wage Administrator

Red Ember is seeking a Junior Wage Administrator, based in Durban, to join our client’s team.

The Wage Administrator will be responsible for ensuring accuracy across all wage-related activities by performing the full administrative function of the wage payroll. This includes ensuring the accurate and timely payment of all staff in accordance with defined service level agreements as well as legislative and statutory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Capture and process new and existing appointments, promotions, demotions, and terminations accurately and timeously.
• Manage, maintain, and update payroll-related data.
• Handle all employee payroll, biographical, and pay-related queries.
• Ensure all Payroll and Time & Attendance tasks are completed within specified time frames.
• Prepare and submit payroll reports and payroll sheets to Finance and relevant departments on time.
• Produce monthly wage cost reports for P&L forecasting and finance meetings.
• Report wage discrepancies identified on dummy payslips to management.
• Issue UI19 forms and certificates of service to terminated employees after final payment.
• Submit Provident Fund withdrawal applications to NBC for terminated employees.
• Conduct employment confirmations with external parties.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee files while ensuring confidentiality of payroll information.
• Ensure payroll processing complies with company policies, procedures, and relevant legislation.
• Provide financial interpretation relating to employee benefits, leave, time management, and remuneration.
• Assist and support management with payroll-related tasks, reports, and ad hoc queries.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accurate and timely submission of payroll reports and wage sheets.
• On-time processing of payroll changes (appointments, promotions, terminations, etc).
• Successful preparation of monthly wage cost reports for forecasting and P&L meetings.
• Compliance with payroll legislation, company policies, and audit requirements.
• Resolution of payroll and employee queries within agreed turnaround times.
• Accuracy of payroll data and minimal discrepancies.
• Maintenance of complete, confidential, and up-to-date employee files.
• Effective support and communication with management and finance teams.

Education & Qualifications

• Matric (Senior Certificate)
• Payroll Certificate or relevant payroll-related qualification

Experience

• Minimum of 1–3 years’ experience at Payroll Administration level
• Practical Payroll MIS experience within a customer-oriented service environment
• Payroll and wage management experience
• Time and Attendance system experience

Advantageous

• Knowledge of Pay Space and Microsoft D365 modules

Compulsory system knowledge

• Sage 300 People
• Time & Attendance systems

Technical & IT Skills
Advanced proficiency in

• MS Excel
• MS Word
• MS Outlook
• Strong numerical aptitude and high attention to detail
• Continuous self-development mindset

Competencies

• Customer focus
• Teamwork and partnering
• Relationship building
• Integrity and trust
• Stress tolerance
• Problem analysis and interactive reasoning
• Ability to prioritize and multitask effectively
• Innovative and solution-oriented