Executive: Group Payroll & Employee Operations at Massmart

To lead the management and strategic transformation of payroll and associate shared services into a fit for purpose, data driven, and digitally enabled function that delivers scalable operations and seamless end-to-end associate experience across the associate lifecycle.

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Develop the transformational agenda and strategy for the associate operations functions including payroll and associate services, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic objectives, with an aim to seamlessly service associates across the full associate lifecycle.
• Influence organizational policies and practices in collaboration with senior leadership to integrate associate operations strategies effectively.
• Map out the integration of advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and accuracy across African operations and integration into the global operations.
• Structure a scalable payroll and associate services model that supports organizational growth and adapts to changes in workforce dynamics and regulations.
• Define benchmarks for performance and efficiency in associate services, systems and processes, setting clear targets for continuous improvement.
• Anticipate future workforce and regulatory trends for future-proof payroll capabilities across all business units and jurisdictions.
• Champion payroll and associate services as the core pillar of the employee experience-ensuring on-time, and accurate payments.

Payroll Services

• Lead centralized payroll operations across all entities and countries, ensuring consistent execution while accommodating local statutory nuances.
• Ensure a sustainable and stabilized payroll service for the business through active engagement with internal and external stakeholders which is based on in-depth and specialized knowledge of payroll systems and processes.
• Proactive planning on payroll system enhancements and changes to respond to business and legislative requirements to ensure compliance and increased efficiency as well as ease of use
• Collaborative engagement with internal stakeholders on cyclical and monthly payroll process to effectively respond to capacity and capability requirements in the payroll area and ensure effective delivery.
• Own end-to-end payroll operations ensuring alignment organizational growth, M&A activity, and workforce complexity.
• Represent payroll at Executive forums, providing strategic input on labour cost forecasting, compliance risk, and enterprise readiness for regulatory shifts. Stay updated with industry trends, retail market conditions, and emerging technologies to identify and implement best practices in project execution for Massmart.

Associate Services

• Ensure delivery for the end-to-end associate services operations across the associate lifecycle to drive efficient service delivery with specialist understanding of the full employee lifecycle.
• Develop a multi-year shared services roadmap that supports workforce growth, process harmonization, and service excellence across the enterprise.
• Lead continuous improvement and optimisiatioin of the associate operations administration function
• Measurement and improvement of the Associate onboarding/offboarding process to enhance efficiency and associate satisfaction
• Proactive engagement with internal and external stakeholders to transform associate services in line with best practice approaches locally and globally
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with HR, Payroll, Finance and IT to ensure integrated and seamless service experiences.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure the establishment and adherence to a comprehensive compliance framework that meets all regulatory requirements across jurisdictions.
• Lead compliant end-to-end execution and processing by establishing and continuously reviewing standard operating procedures, process documentation, policies, and governance.
• Direct the implementation of audit strategies for payroll operations and associate services, ensuring consistent compliance with all relevant financial controls.
• Review and update policies and procedures regularly to incorporate changes in legislation and best practices.
• Monitor and manage risk by implementing controls that prevent fraud and ensure the integrity of associate data.
• Establish and govern service delivery models, SLA’s and performance metrics that align with the business and workforce needs.
• Represent the company in negotiations and discussions with regulatory bodies, ensuring favorable outcomes for associate services and practices.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Oversee the preparation and analysis of detailed reports on payroll and associate services expenditures, including forecasts and variances, to inform strategic financial decisions.
• Direct the financial integration of all associate services systems with corporate finance for seamless reporting and transparency.
• Leverage people analytics and reporting to inform associate decisions, track KPI’s and enhance service delivery.
• Optimize resource allocation by developing models that accurately project associate costs and implications for budgeting.
• Implement strategies for financial efficiency in associates’ services and operations, including cost-saving measures and investment in technology.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting to stakeholders, maintaining high standards of financial integrity.

Stakeholder Management and Communication

• Build robust communication channels with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate effective information flow and strategic alignment.
• Advise senior executives on the strategic implications of associate services practices and propose solutions to align them with business objectives.
• Negotiate with software vendors and service providers to ensure services and products meet the strategic needs of the organization.
• Engage with HR and finance to align associate services systems with relevant annual and ad hoc processes and deliverables.
• Lead cross-functional teams to drive projects that improve system integrations, associate service delivery and associate user satisfaction.

Innovation and Optimization

• Champion the adoption of transformative associate services technologies and processes that enhance operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.
• Forecast future trends in associate services and adjust strategies to maintain a competitive edge.
• Drive initiatives that automate and streamline processes, reducing errors and increasing efficiency.
• Ensure the integration of Payroll systems with HRIS, Finance, and Time/Attendance platforms, ensuring real-time data flow and minimal manual intervention through partnership with Product and Tech.
• Develop and implement strategic plans for the continuous improvement systems and practices.
• Evaluate and integrate feedback from associate users to continuously refine and optimize services.
• Establish and sustain a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement by driving end to end process optimization to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce error rates while enhancing service quality, scalability, and compliance.

Leadership and Team Development

• Cultivate a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Develop strategic training programs to enhance team skills and knowledge in critical areas of all areas of associate services, management and compliance.
• Mentor and guide future leaders within the department to ensure succession planning and career development.
• Foster an environment of collaboration and innovation, encouraging team members to propose and pilot new solutions.
• Evaluate team performance regularly and provide feedback and resources necessary to achieve departmental goals.

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