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Procurement and purchasing require a very specific set of skills and abilities. Here’s what your purchasing resume should include in order to impress a recruiter.
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Purchasing is an essential role in supply chain management. This role requires foundational knowledge of the market, industry-specific knowledge, and strong logical thinking and planning skills. If you want to land a job in this kind of role you will need to establish that you are a person with the skills and know-how to provide cost-effective requisitions to a potential employer.
Build my resumeThere are a number of roles that require procurement skills. Here are some of the most common job titles you can gain with the right purchasing and procurement resume:
When writing your resume, you should focus on planning, analysis, and communication skills that are key to success in this field. Here are the important sections you should include in your resume:
Your resume header should include your full name, contact information (including phone number and email address), and professional links, such as your LinkedIn profile.
A resume should lead off with a brief resume objective or resume summary. A resume objective is best for those with limited experience, and focuses on your top skills and career goals. In contrast, a resume summary is best for those with many years of experience, as it focuses on your most important skills and achievements.
Your resume skills section should include 8 to 12 bullet points detailing your most relevant purchasing skills. Here are some examples:
The work experience section should include up to 10 years of previous experience, presented in reverse-chronological order (most recent job first). Focus on your main achievements in each role using 3-5 bullet points and be as specific as possible. For example, a statement such as “Managed a team of six buyers to facilitate a national project that finished 15% under budget,” is more impactful than stating “I managed six buyers.”
Your education section should include your most recent, relevant, and advanced achievements. For example, if you have an economics or business degree, you don’t need to list your high school diploma.
Including your professional achievements and awards are a great way to stand out from the crowd. Remember to list the full name of the award, who bestowed it, and when you were awarded.
This small section should include all relevant and active professional certifications. For example, if you have a project management certification, you should list it here. You can also include professional memberships if you have them. If you are an active member of the American Purchasing Society (APS), for example, list that fact.
If you are ready to move up the career ladder, you will need to include a little extra in your resume. The perfect resume addresses the needs of a specific job. These purchasing resume samples show what makes a great resume for this kind of role. As well as showcasing industry-specific experience, this resume focuses on necessary communication, inventory management, and people management skills. Consider this resume sample in conjunction with these resume writing tips to create a great resume.
Here are some tips for helping you write your purchasing resume:
There are three main resume formats to choose from: chronological, functional, and hybrid. A chronological resume is best for those with several years of work experience. A functional resume format focuses on skills and competencies and is best for those with very little experience. A hybrid resume focuses on work experience and skills.
Cost reduction is a big concern for most companies. If you have specific vendor relationships that provide cost savings, highlight them. A purchasing agent’s resume that provides this information will have a good chance of impressing hiring managers.
Language is key when writing a resume. Use active words and phrases to take ownership of your skills and achievements. If you can, you should also use specific metrics. For example, say “Created a system that resulted in 10% cost reductions,” rather than “I improved cost-effectiveness.” The use of language that is specific and active will stand out.
For extra help creating your resume, use our resume builder tool, which has many resume templates to choose from as well as job-specific suggestions to help you build a professional resume with all the right details.
Build my resumeHave questions? We’re here to help.
Yes. A cover letter presents a unique chance to connect with the recruiter or hiring manager directly and provide additional information. Because of this, it is always a good idea to include a cover letter with any job application. When you write your cover letter, consider the information you have highlighted in your resume and provide additional context or detail about your best achievements.
It is possible to get a sourcing or purchasing professional job with little or no experience as long as you are applying for entry-level roles. If you apply to work in a small company, they may put more emphasis on your skills, education, and non-professional experience. So be sure to highlight any non-professional experience that is relevant. This can include internships, volunteer work, and relevant coursework.
Yes, it is always a good idea to tailor your professional resume for each job application. When doing so you should read the job description carefully, note skills and experiences that are listed as necessary, match them with your own skills and experiences, and features in your resume. This will help your resume to pass through an applicant tracking system (ATS) and rank well so that your resume reaches a hiring manager’s desk.
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