A purpose-driven organization focused on environmental sustainability and resource management solutions in Durban is seeking an HR & Payroll Generalist to join their team.

This role is central to ensuring the smooth delivery of efficient, compliant, and employee-focused HR and payroll operations across the full employee lifecycle.

The successful candidate will act as a trusted HR operational partner, supporting both managers and employees while ensuring strong governance, accurate payroll execution, and compliance with South African labor and statutory requirements.

Key Purpose of the Role

The HR & Payroll Generalist is responsible for end-to-end HR administration, payroll processing and oversight, employee relations support, statutory compliance, training coordination, and maintaining accurate people data. The role also contributes to continuous improvement initiatives and supports a collaborative, service-driven HR function aligned with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Manage full HR lifecycle processes including onboarding, employee changes, ER support, and offboarding
Prepare and maintain employment contracts, HR documentation, and system records
Execute and oversee payroll processing, reconciliations, validations, and statutory compliance
Coordinate training, inductions, and skills development reporting
Support statutory reporting including BBBEE, COIDA, EMP501, EE, WSP/ATR submissions
Provide guidance on employee relations matters in line with labour legislation and company policies
Support HR policy implementation and communication
Provide operational guidance to junior HR/payroll team members
Compile HR and payroll reports and support audit/compliance requirements
Identify and drive process improvement initiatives within HR and payroll functions

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or diploma in HR, Industrial Psychology, Business Administration, or related field
4-5 years’ experience in an HR Generalist/HR Operations role
Strong hands-on payroll processing and oversight experience
Experience with payroll reconciliation and statutory compliance (UIF, SDL, PAYE, COIDA/WCA)
Solid knowledge of South African labour legislation (BCEA, LRA, EE, B-BBEE)
Experience across recruitment, ER, payroll, benefits, performance, and L&D
Proficiency in MS Office and HRIS/payroll systems
Exposure to payroll migration projects (advantageous)

Key Attributes

High attention to detail with strong accuracy and compliance focus
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Strong organizational and multitasking ability
Sound problem-solving and decision-making capability
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
Collaborative team player with a proactive mindset