Senior Payroll Administrator

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd | Permanent

Johannesburg, South Africa | Posted on 12/02/2026

Red Ember Recruitment is seeking, on behalf of our client, a Senior Payroll Administrator to support the payroll function based in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

The Senior Payroll Administrator will be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of payroll for mainly temporary and permanent staff across departments and branches. This role supports mostly monthly payroll cycles, employee data management, overtime processing, and payroll-related queries, ensuring compliance with company policies and South African labour legislation.

• Capture and process monthly payroll registers for permanent branch/operational employees, temporary employees.
• Process once-off and ad-hoc payments as required.
• Capture and process payroll transactions on Sage 300, including allowances and earnings.
• Generate payroll CSV files and submit for payment within required deadlines.
• Perform payroll reconciliations and spot checks to ensure accuracy.
• Print payroll summaries and submit sign‑off documentation to HR.
• Receive, compile, and verify overtime submissions from Area and Regional Managers.
• Manage and reconcile clockings using the ERS Clocking System.
• Validate overtime sheets against clocking reports using Excel tools (e.g., VLOOKUP, pivot tables).
• Distribute overtime sign‑off sheets to kiosks and ensure staff verification prior to payroll finalisation.

• Load and maintain employee records on Sage 300 (new appointments, promotions, acting allowances, transfers, addendums, salary adjustments, personal and banking detail changes).
• Process HR documentation timeously and ensure accurate payroll updates.
• Maintain clear records of terminations, end‑of‑contracts, and resignations.
• Administer leave transactions, balances, corrections, and reconciliations.
• Action leave‑related queries including cancellations and amendments.
• Process UIF documentation (UI19s, maternity leave, illness claims).
• Support labour audits and inspections by compiling clockings and payment reconciliations.
• Ensure payroll compliance with South African labour and statutory requirements.

• Process payroll deductions including garnishees, maintenance orders, acknowledgements of debt (AODs), traffic fines, uniform deductions, service failure or kiosk‑related deductions.
• Process allowances such as vehicle branding, call‑outs and ad‑hoc operational payments.

• Serve as a point of contact for payroll and salary‑related queries from staff, managers, and HR.
• Respond to payroll‑related emails and provide feedback within agreed turnaround times.
• Support the Payroll Manager and team with ad‑hoc payroll and administrative tasks.

• Minimum 7 years’ payroll administration experience, preferably in a high‑volume or operational environment (3000+ employees).
• Matric (Grade 12).
• Tertiary qualification in Payroll Administration is required.
• Knowledge of employee tax implications.
• Knowledge of medical aids and National Bargaining Council (NBCRFLI) rules.
• Knowledge of ROE submissions.
• Knowledge of Equity submissions.
• Proven experience processing payroll on Sage 300, minimum 2 years.
• Experience with casual, temporary, and shift‑based payrolls (advantageous).
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills and deadline‑driven approach.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Dependable, flexible, and able to perform under pressure.