Payroll Officer - SAREG M/F

	Payroll Officer - SAREG M/F

General informations

  With the group’s expertise of more than 50 years of experience and a continuous presence on the African continent, Africa Global Logistics South Africa provides end-to-end solutions with in-depth knowledge of the legal and cultural diversities specific to each country. Our powerful integrated global network and sustainable solutions enable innovative and flexible designs in their execution.

AGL South Africa is your gateway throughout Africa, facilitating freight forwarding, customs clearance, warehousing and distribution activities for many multinational companies.

Job description

Mission Description                      

Job Purpose:

The Payroll Officer is responsible for the accurate, compliant, and timeous end-to-end processing and administration of payroll across the Southern Africa region. The role is accountable for maintaining payroll integrity, statutory compliance, employee self-service (ESS) administration, leave management, reporting, reconciliations, and payroll-related system maintenance within Sage 300 People.

The incumbent will serve as a key support function to HR Business Partners and business stakeholders by providing professional payroll support, resolving payroll-related queries, ensuring legislative compliance, and continuously identifying opportunities to improve payroll efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Payroll Administration and Processing
• Execute full end-to-end payroll processing functions, including payroll capturing, imports, reconciliations, reporting, general ledger imports, and payroll validation controls.
• Ensure accurate and timeous payroll processing in accordance with company policies, payroll calendars, statutory requirements, and applicable labour legislation.
• Process and verify Net salary payments, ensuring all bank discrepancies and queries are resolved within agreed timelines.
• Prepare and process payroll journals, general ledger reconciliations, and month-end payroll schedules.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and ensure all supporting documentation is appropriately filed and readily accessible.
• Ensure all employee movements, amendments, and new appointments are supported by fully approved SESAME documentation prior to payroll implementation.
• Administer expatriate, local-plus, and regional payroll benefits and allowances where applicable.
• Support payroll processing across multiple Southern African countries and provide operational flexibility to rotate into different country payrolls as required.

Statutory Compliance and Reporting:

• Ensure country compliance with applicable payroll legislation, statutory requirements, and internal governance standards.
• Prepare, reconcile, and submit statutory returns accurately and within prescribed deadlines, including but not limited to:
o EMP201 submissions
o EMP501 reconciliations
o UIF, SDL, PAYE, and COIDA requirements
• Facilitate annual statutory reporting obligations where applicable.
• Load and maintain employee information on relevant statutory online portals where required.
• Maintain accurate audit schedules and provide monthly year-to-date payroll reports and supporting documentation for audit purposes.
• Ensure proof of payment for all salary and statutory payments is obtained, validated, and saved in accordance with company controls and audit requirements.

 

Profile

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
Leave Administration and ESS Management
• Administer and maintain employee leave profiles in accordance with approved leave policies and procedures.
• Manage and maintain Employee Self-Service (ESS) profiles, access rights

Systems, Controls, and Process Improvement
• Maintain payroll structures, reporting lines, and position management on Sage 300 People in collaboration with HR and relevant stakeholders.
• Continuously identify opportunities for payroll process improvements, automation, enhanced controls, and operational efficiencies.
• Maintain and update Payroll Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in real time to ensure process accuracy and business continuity.
• Ensure SharePoint access registers and payroll filing structures are accurately maintained and updated.
• Ensure training guides and process documentation for complex payroll functions are created, maintained, and securely stored for contingency and business continuity purposes.

Collaboration, Training, and Support
• Communicate payroll deadlines and requirements to HR Business Partners and country stakeholders on a monthly basis.
• Provide professional payroll support and guidance to HR management regarding earnings, deductions and contributions.
• Ensure designated payroll successors (“Payroll Buddies”) are adequately cross trained to support operational continuity.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and provide internal payroll training where required.
• Attend and complete all mandatory compliance and training requirements within prescribed timeframes.
• Support ad hoc payroll, audit, HR, and finance-related projects and requests as required by the business.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
• Matric / Grade 12 (Compulsory).
• Minimum of 5 years' payroll experience within a complex, high-volume payroll environment.
• Minimum of 3 years' practical experience on Sage 300 People and ESS.
• Advanced proficiency in:
o Microsoft Excel
o Microsoft Word
o NBCRFLI Bargaining Council / Transnet Bargaining Council
• Knowledge and exposure to payroll administration, legislation within African countries will be advantageous.
Key Competencies and Skills:
• Exceptional attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.
• Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving capability.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion.
• Proactive and solutions-driven approach to payroll process improvement and optimisation.