Payroll Manager
Red Ember RecruitmentDurban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Posted January 21, 2026
Full Time
About the Company
Red Ember Recruitment, a division of Red Ember Technology, specializes in delivering end‑to‑end talent acquisition and payroll/HR solutions tailored to Sage and other enterprise platforms. Leveraging its status as a Certified Sage Platinum Business Partner, the firm maximises ROI on Sage payroll and HR implementations through expert consulting, customized talent teams, and comprehensive support services. With a deep industry‑specific background in payroll, HR, and finance, Red Ember offers a full spectrum of recruitment services—from internships to executive placements, bulk hiring, and headhunting—alongside temporary employment, vetting, and payroll outsourcing. This blend of technical partnership, specialized expertise, and flexible staffing solutions positions Red Ember Recruitment as a trusted ally for organisations seeking sustainable growth and a competitive advantage in talent management.
Job Description
Red Ember Recruitment is looking for a experienced Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations for a large, growing workforce in Durban.
Requirements
- Manage payroll for 5,500+ employees on weekly and bi-weekly cycles.
- Ensure accurate payroll processing, reconciliations, reporting, and statutory submissions.
- Maintain full Sage 300 system ownership, including configurations, controls, and reporting.
- Oversee payroll inputs: benefits, job costing, deductions, allowances, and third-party payments.
- Ensure compliance with ETI, PAYE, UIF, SDL, and SARS submissions (501, 201, IRP30).
- Legislation & Compliance Ensure compliance with BCEA, LRA, WCA/COIDA, and other labour laws.
- Manage payroll compliance across bargaining councils.
- Oversee payroll for labour brokers, including reporting and cost controls.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the payroll team, driving performance and accountability.
- Allocate workloads, manage deadlines, and implement process improvements.
- Act as a payroll expert to clients and internal stakeholders.
- Confidently explain and “sell” payroll system knowledge.
- Handle complex queries, escalations, and audits professionally.
- Produce payroll, headcount, costing, and compliance reports.
- Utilize advanced Excel for analysis, reconciliations, and decision support.