Payroll Supervisor

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

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

Compliance & Statutory Reporting

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

Benefits & Third-Party Administration

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

Reconciliation & Reporting

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

Team Support & Supervision

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

Systems, Documentation & Continuous Improvement

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

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Key requirements:

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

Advantageous:

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

WHO YOU ARE

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

WHY THIS ROLE

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