Hiring Now | Payroll Specialist | Cape Town, Western Cape | Permanent Position Available
A global leader in beverages and convenient foods is urgently hiring a Payroll Specialist at its Cape Town offices in the Western Cape. If you are looking for a senior payroll management role with one of the world’s most recognised FMCG brands, this is your chance to lead payroll operations across multiple legal entities, drive compliance, and build a long-term career in payroll and human resources management.
💼 Don’t miss this opportunity — vacancies are filling fast. Apply today.
Payroll Specialist Job Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Payroll Specialist |
| Job ID | 447123 |
| Department | HR |
| Industry | FMCG / Human Resources / Payroll & Finance |
| Job Type | Permanent |
| Location | Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Minimum Qualification | Finance Qualification (Mandatory) |
| Key Systems | SAP, Advanced Excel, All-Sec BRD |
| Application Status | ✅ Open – Accepting Applications Now |
About the Role
This is a senior payroll and people management role for experienced payroll professionals who bring expert knowledge of South African payroll legislation, strong SAP proficiency, and the ability to manage complex payroll operations accurately and compliantly across multiple legal entities.
The Payroll Specialist is responsible for facilitating the on-time and accurate payment of employee remuneration across four legal entities, conducting reconciliations to ensure payroll integrity, managing financial postings, reporting on payroll information, operating internal controls, and managing a payroll team.
The ideal candidate brings expert knowledge of South African labour and tax legislation, advanced SAP module experience, advanced Excel skills, and a demonstrated track record of strong payroll service delivery in a large, complex FMCG environment.
Key Responsibilities of a Payroll Specialist
Payroll Administration & Processing
- Administer payroll — managing all inputs and outputs from the outsourced payroll system related to employee compensation including pay, bonuses, earnings, and deductions.
- Oversee the outsourced payroll management system to deal with all financial aspects of employees’ compensation including allowances, deductions, gross pay, and net pay.
- Process and distribute compensation to all employees accurately and on time.
- Collaborate with Total Rewards, HR Operations, and HRDs on payroll requirements based on financial, benefits, and HR policies and legislative changes.
Tax Management & SARS Compliance
- Manage and process payroll taxes — deducting and paying taxes from employees’ compensation.
- Calculate and pay tax liabilities in line with applicable compensation and tax regulations.
- Request tax directives as required.
- File EMP201 returns with SARS accurately and within required timeframes.
Reconciliations & Financial Integrity
- Conduct reconciliations to ensure full payroll integrity — including payroll, GL account, banking, UIF, SDL, and PAYE reconciliations.
- Execute journal uploads of pay register results into financial statements across four legal entities.
- Manage financial postings — including vendor payments, UIF and treasury notifications, and clearing of third-party vendor accounts.
- Understand and apply account structures and codes across all relevant financial systems.
Reporting & Statutory Declarations
- Report on payroll information including leave and bonus provisions, allowances, FI expenses, and outstanding tax amounts.
- Submit statutory declarations and COIDA reports within required timelines.
- Provide accurate, timeous payroll reporting to support business decision-making.
Internal Controls & Compliance
- Operate controls and monitor compliance with internal controls policies and procedures.
- Monitor control effectiveness and remediate control deficiencies promptly.
- Implement and maintain technologies and tools to support internal controls-related activities.
- Manage filing and e-filing of payroll control documents for audit compliance.
People Management & Development
- Screen and select payroll team candidates through structured interviews and evaluation processes.
- Define individual performance objectives and conduct performance appraisals.
- Manage employee development by establishing development guidelines and building team capability.
- Manage employee relations — assisting with communication, performance management, grievances, and dispute resolution.
- Interpret and convey organisational policies to the payroll team.
- Provide training to process owners and measure and report on payroll process performance.
Minimum Requirements – Payroll Specialist
Educational Qualifications:
- Finance qualification (mandatory)
Expert Knowledge Requirements:
- South African labour and payroll legislation — BCEA, PAYE, UIF, WCA, Skills Levy Act, ETI
- Payroll regulations — retirement, tax, loans, retrenchments, and CCMA processes
- HR and Finance policies and collective agreements
- All-Sec BRD payroll system
Technical Skills:
- Expert experience of relevant SAP modules and supporting technology (essential)
- Expert organisational knowledge of structures and business units
- Advanced Excel skills (essential)
- Good numeric and analytical skills
Skills & Competencies:
- Detail orientation — performs work with care, accuracy, and high attention to detail
- Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Sound decision-making using good judgment under pressure
- Effective planning and organisational skills
- Strong communication and high influencing skills
- Teamwork — collaborates effectively with others to achieve goals
- Stress tolerance — handles pressure without becoming reactive or anxious
- Flexibility — open to new ideas, approaches, and strategies
- Resilience and ability to drive for results consistently
- Integrity, trust, and professionalism in all matters
- Demonstrated track record of strong payroll service delivery
Core Values We Look For in a Payroll Specialist
✅ Accuracy & Detail Orientation
Payroll errors affect employees’ lives and the company’s compliance standing. We value specialists who bring meticulous attention to every calculation, reconciliation, and statutory submission — every pay run, every month.
✅ Integrity & Trust
Payroll professionals handle highly sensitive employee and financial information. We value specialists who act with complete integrity, maintain strict confidentiality, and embody trust in every interaction.
✅ Compliance & Legislative Expertise
South African payroll compliance is complex and constantly evolving. We value specialists who bring expert knowledge of legislation, stay current on regulatory changes, and ensure the business remains fully compliant at all times.
✅ Leadership & People Development
This role includes managing a payroll team. We value specialists who invest in their team’s development, set clear performance expectations, and build a high-performing, accountable payroll function.
✅ Results-Driven Service Delivery
Payroll must be right and on time — every time. We value specialists who drive for results consistently, manage stakeholder expectations effectively, and deliver a high standard of service to the business and its employees.
Career Growth Opportunities in Payroll & HR
Starting as a Payroll Specialist at a global FMCG company is an excellent foundation for a long-term HR and finance career. For motivated professionals, progression is clear:
- Payroll Specialist → Senior Payroll Specialist
- Senior Payroll Specialist → Payroll Manager
- Payroll Manager → HR Operations Manager
- HR Operations Manager → Head of HR Operations / Total Rewards Director
Many of the company’s most experienced HR and finance operations leaders began their careers in payroll specialist and management roles. Your career path is in your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions – Payroll Specialist Jobs
Is a finance qualification mandatory for this post? Yes. A finance qualification is listed as a mandatory requirement for this post.
What legislation must a Payroll Specialist know? Expert knowledge of the BCEA, PAYE, UIF, WCA, Skills Levy Act, and ETI is required, along with knowledge of retirement regulations, tax, loans, retrenchments, and CCMA processes.
Is SAP experience required? Yes. Expert experience of relevant SAP modules and supporting payroll technology is an essential requirement.
How many legal entities does this role cover? The Payroll Specialist is responsible for journal uploads and payroll management across four legal entities.
Does this role include people management? Yes. This role includes full people management responsibilities — including screening and selecting candidates, managing performance, developing team members, and handling employee relations matters.
Does the company support Employment Equity? Yes. The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer in line with the Employment Equity Act.
How to Apply for This Payroll Specialist Job
Ready to lead payroll operations at a globally recognised FMCG brand? Apply now.
👉 Apply Online – Job ID: 447123
Submit your CV highlighting your payroll and finance qualifications, SAP experience, South African legislative knowledge, and payroll management track record. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next steps.
Apply early — this vacancy will close once filled.
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