Hiring Now | Payroll Administrator Jobs | Cape Town, Western Cape | Permanent Position Available
Unitrans Head Office Finance is urgently hiring a Payroll Administrator in Cape Town. If you are looking for a stable, senior payroll role in a large logistics organisation with a competitive salary and full payroll function responsibility, this is your chance to join a professional finance team and build a long-term career in payroll administration.
💼 Don’t miss this opportunity — applications close 16 April 2026. Apply today.
Payroll Administrator Job Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Payroll Administrator |
| Reference Number | UNI251204-3 |
| Company | Unitrans – Head Office Finance |
| Location | Cape Town, Western Cape |
| Job Type | Permanent |
| Contract | HO Finance |
| Closing Date | 16 April 2026 |
| Application Status | ✅ Open – Accepting Applications Now |
What Does a Payroll Administrator Do at Unitrans?
The Payroll Administrator is responsible for effective and efficient payroll administration across the Unitrans group. In this role, you will perform the full payroll function from processing, verifying, and reconciling pay information — taking into account legislation, company policy, and audit requirements. You will support HR, Operations, and the Head Office Payroll Team, prepare detailed analytical salary reviews, and ensure accurate and timely payment of salaries and wages for a large, geographically dispersed workforce.
This is a technically demanding, compliance-driven senior payroll role that requires a relevant payroll or bookkeeping qualification, at least 5 years of payroll experience, a minimum of 3 years processing payroll on SAGE300 People, and a solid working knowledge of South African labour legislation and employee tax requirements.
Key Responsibilities of a Payroll Administrator
Full Payroll Processing & Reconciliation
- Perform the full payroll function from processing, verifying, and reconciling of pay information in accordance with legislation, company policy, and audit requirements.
- Ensure accurate and timely payment of all salaries and wages for the pay period.
- Perform various reconciliations including the National Bargaining Council (NBC) leave balance versus the SAGE300 People leave balance.
- Identify and resolve payroll discrepancies before finalisation of the pay run.
Analytical Payroll Review
- Prepare a detailed analytical review of salaries for each pay period.
- Explain all material variances between the prior month and current month payroll clearly and accurately.
- Provide management with clear, well-supported commentary on payroll movements and exceptions.
Audit Preparation & Compliance
- Prepare the payroll function for internal and external audits, ensuring all records, reconciliations, and supporting documentation are complete and audit-ready.
- Ensure all payroll activities comply with applicable legislation, the National Bargaining Council Collective Agreement for the Road Freight Industry, and internal company governance requirements.
- Maintain accurate and accessible payroll records for audit trail and statutory compliance purposes.
Payroll Support & Stakeholder Management
- Provide day-to-day support to the Payroll Supervisor as required.
- Support HR and Operations teams with payroll-related queries, corrections, and reporting.
- Coordinate and control payroll information from distant regional operations, ensuring data integrity across a geographically dispersed workforce.
Ad-Hoc Payroll Administration
- Perform other ad-hoc payroll-related tasks as assigned by management.
- Support the broader Head Office Payroll Team with additional payroll functions during peak periods or as operational needs require.
- Assist with Africa payroll processing where applicable, applying relevant country-specific legislation and statutory requirements.
Minimum Requirements – Payroll Administrator
To be considered for this Payroll Administrator position, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Educational Qualifications:
- Grade 12 / Matric — essential
- Bookkeeping, Accountancy, or Payroll Certificate or Diploma — essential
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of experience in the same or a similar payroll administration role — essential
- Minimum 3 years of experience processing payroll using SAGE300 People — essential
Systems & Technical Skills:
- Strong proficiency in SAGE300 People payroll system — essential
- Strong payroll principles, computer literacy, and payroll system skills
- Good understanding and practical knowledge of employee tax and statutory requirements (PAYE, UIF, SDL)
Knowledge Requirements:
- Working knowledge of all applicable South African labour legislation
- Knowledge of the National Bargaining Council (NBC) Collective Agreement for the Road Freight Industry — advantageous
- Experience with Africa payrolls and legislation — advantageous
- Ability to coordinate and control payroll information from distant regional operations
Skills & Attributes:
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy across all payroll processing activities
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
- Ability to prepare clear analytical reviews and explain payroll variances to management
Legal Requirements:
- Valid South African ID Document
Core Values We Look For in a Payroll Administrator
✅ Accuracy & Attention to Detail
Payroll errors affect people’s livelihoods and expose the business to legislative and reputational risk. We value Payroll Administrators who check every figure, reconcile every balance, and take pride in getting the payroll right — every pay period, without exception.
✅ Legislative Compliance & Governance
South African payroll is governed by complex and frequently updated legislation. We need a Payroll Administrator who stays current on PAYE, UIF, SDL, and NBC requirements and applies them correctly and consistently in every pay run.
✅ Deadline Discipline
Payroll cannot wait. We value administrators who plan proactively, manage their workload efficiently, and consistently meet payroll processing and reporting deadlines without compromising quality.
✅ Analytical Thinking & Communication
Explaining payroll variances clearly to management requires both analytical ability and clear written communication. We value administrators who can identify what changed, why it changed, and what it means for the business.
✅ Reliability & Discretion
Payroll data is among the most sensitive information in any organisation. We value Payroll Administrators who handle all employee remuneration data with absolute confidentiality and professional integrity.
Career Growth Opportunities in Payroll & Finance Administration
Starting as a Payroll Administrator at Unitrans Head Office is a strong position in the South African payroll and finance sector. Clear progression is available:
- Payroll Administrator → Senior Payroll Administrator
- Senior Payroll Administrator → Payroll Supervisor / Payroll Team Lead
- Payroll Supervisor → Payroll Manager / Compensation & Benefits Manager
- Payroll Manager → Head of Payroll / HR Finance Executive
Unitrans is one of South Africa’s largest transport and logistics businesses — senior finance and payroll leadership opportunities are available across the group for high-performing individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions – Payroll Administrator Jobs
Is SAGE300 People experience essential? Yes. A minimum of 3 years of experience specifically processing payroll on SAGE300 People is listed as an essential requirement. Candidates without SAGE300 People experience may not meet the threshold for this role.
What is the National Bargaining Council (NBC) for the Road Freight Industry? The NBC for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry is a statutory body that negotiates and administers collective agreements covering wages, leave, and conditions of employment for workers in the South African road freight sector. Knowledge of the NBC Collective Agreement — particularly NBC leave versus SAGE300 People leave reconciliation — is an advantageous competency for this role.
Is experience with Africa payrolls required? Experience with Africa payrolls and legislation is listed as advantageous but not essential. Candidates with South African payroll experience who can demonstrate the ability to learn new country-specific requirements will be considered.
What statutory deductions are relevant to this role? Key statutory deductions in South African payroll include PAYE (Pay As You Earn income tax), UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund contributions), and SDL (Skills Development Levy). A good practical understanding of how these are calculated, reconciled, and submitted to SARS is an essential competency for this position.
How much experience is required? A minimum of 5 years of experience in a payroll administration role is required, including at least 3 years of SAGE300 People processing experience.
What is the closing date for applications? The closing date for this position is 16 April 2026. Apply immediately — this deadline is very close.
How to Apply for This Payroll Administrator Job
Ready to advance your payroll career at Unitrans? Applications close 16 April 2026 — apply now without delay.
👉 Apply for Payroll Administrator Position
Submit your application quoting reference number UNI251204-3. Include your CV, copy of your Grade 12 certificate, and copy of your relevant payroll or bookkeeping qualification.
⚠ Closing date: 16 April 2026 — apply immediately.
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