Hiring and Sponsoring Buyers and procurement officers (SOC Code 3551)

Buyers and Procurement Officers, classified under SOC Code 3551, are crucial players in the supply chain and procurement sectors, responsible for sourcing goods and services to meet organizational needs. Their roles encompass a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Market Research: 
• • Attending trade fairs, shows, and demonstrations to identify new products and suppliers.
  • Keeping abreast of market trends to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Product Evaluation:
• • Assessing budgetary constraints alongside customer requirements to determine the appropriate quantity, type, range, and quality of goods or services to be procured.
• Supplier Management:
• • Evaluating bids from suppliers and engaging in negotiation to secure favorable prices.
  • Assisting in the negotiation of contracts, specifying precise details concerning the goods or services required.
• Supply Chain Improvement:
• • Identifying opportunities to enhance supply networks and presenting innovative ideas to the senior management team.
• Quality Control:
• • Ensuring that delivered items comply with purchase orders, monitoring the quality of incoming goods, and managing returns of unsatisfactory items.
• Performance Monitoring: 
• • Overseeing performance metrics and ensuring targets are consistently met.
• Team Supervision: 
• • Managing clerical, administrative, and warehouse distribution staff while also overseeing recruitment and training processes.
• Collaboration: 
• • Working closely with merchandisers to allocate stock effectively and develop accurate sales forecasts.
• Records Management: 
• • Maintaining detailed records and preparing reports as necessary to inform decision-making processes.

With the increasing complexity of global supply chains, the role of Buyers and Procurement Officers remains vital, driving efficiencies and ensuring that organizations are equipped with the necessary resources to thrive. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in understanding the hiring and sponsorship processes for Buyers and Procurement Officers within the UK's immigration framework.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Buyers and procurement officers?

SOC Code 3551 refers to buyers and procurement officers who are responsible for acquiring goods and services for their organization. Their responsibilities can include:

• Researching products and suppliers: Attending trade fairs, shows, and demonstrations to discover new product lines, as well as checking catalogs.
• Monitoring market trends: Keeping up with industry developments to make informed purchasing decisions that align with current market trends.
• Assessing requirements: Evaluating budgetary limitations and customer needs to determine the appropriate quantity, type, range, and quality of goods or services to be purchased.
• Evaluating bids and negotiating: Assessing bids from suppliers, identifying suitable suppliers, and negotiating prices to ensure favorable terms.
• Contract negotiation and specification: Assisting in contract negotiations with suppliers and specifying detailed requirements for goods or services.
• Improving supply networks: Looking for ways to enhance supply chain efficiency and presenting new strategies to the senior management team.
• Quality control: Ensuring that all delivered items comply with orders, monitoring the quality of incoming goods, and managing the return of unsatisfactory or faulty items.
• Performance monitoring: Overseeing the performance of the procurement process and ensuring that targets are consistently met.
• Supervising staff: Managing clerical, administrative, and warehouse distribution staff, as well as handling recruitment and training.
• Collaborating with merchandisers: Working closely with merchandisers to allocate stock and develop accurate sales forecasts.
• Record-keeping and reporting: Maintaining accurate records and preparing reports as needed to inform decision-making.

Buyers and procurement officers play a vital role in the supply chain, ensuring organizations have the materials and services necessary to operate efficiently and effectively.

Eligibility to Hire Buyers and procurement officers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Buyers and procurement officers must exhibit strong analytical skills and meet specific qualifications to excel in their roles. These may include:

• Educational Background: A degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field is often preferred.
• Experience: Relevant work experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain management, demonstrating a tangible understanding of market dynamics.
• Market Knowledge: Proven ability to stay updated on market trends, product lines, and supplier capabilities through participation in trade fairs, shows, and demonstrations.
• Negotiation Skills: Demonstrated competence in negotiating contracts and prices with suppliers, ensuring advantageous terms for the organization.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to assess and analyze bids from suppliers, determining the best options based on quality, cost, and compliance with customer requirements.
• Supervisory Experience: Previous experience in managing clerical, administrative, and warehouse staff, including recruitment and training requirements.
• Organizational Skills: Strong ability to maintain accurate records, prepare detailed reports, and manage budgets effectively.
• Quality Control: Experience in monitoring the quality of incoming goods and ensuring compliance with orders while addressing any issues with unsatisfactory or faulty items.

Ensure that the job description aligns with the SOC Code 3551 and that the candidate’s experience meets the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Buyers and procurement officers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Buyers and procurement officers under SOC Code 3551.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Buyers and procurement officers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Buyers and procurement officers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Buyers and procurement officers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Buyers and procurement officers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorshipguide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Buyers and procurement officers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Buyers and procurement officers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Buyers and procurement officers

Before the Buyers and procurement officers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Buyers and procurement officers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Buyers and procurement officers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Buyers and procurement officers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Buyers and procurement officers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Buyers and procurement officerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Buyers and procurement officers

Sponsoring Buyers and procurement officers under SOC Code 3551 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Buyers and procurement officers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Buyers and procurement officers under SOC Code 3551 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.