Purchasing Resume Examples: Manager, Agent & Specialist
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.
Our customers have been hired by:*Foot Note
Purchasing Resume Example
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.
Resources for Your Next Career Move
- Clerical Resume
- Personal Assistant Resume
- Personal Banker Resume
- Personal Trainer Resume
- Pharmacy Technician Resume
- Principal Resume
- Production Assistant Resume
- Production Manager Resume
- Production Supervisor Resume
- Public Relations Resume
- Resident Assistant Resume
- Resume With No Work Experience Resume
- Retail Resume
- Sales Resume
- Scholarship Resume
- Scrum Master Resume
- Self-Employed Resume
- Stay-at-Home Mom Resume
Explore our complete resume examples selection for tips and resources tailored to every career path.
Jobs That Need Purchasing and Procurement Resumes
There 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:
- Director of procurement
- Merchandising specialist
- Inventory control assistant
- Project manager
- Requisitions manager
- Supply chain manager
- E-procurement manager
- BuyerTHis
- Vendor relations manager
Sections of a Purchasing 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:
Header
Your resume header should include your full name, contact information (including phone number and email address), and professional links, such as your LinkedIn profile.
Resume summary or objective
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.
Skills
Your resume skills section should include 8 to 12 bullet points detailing your most relevant purchasing skills. Here are some examples:
- Contract negotiations
- Data analysis
- Sourcing raw materials
- Purchase orders
- Negotiation skills
- Forecasting
- CPP
- SAP
- ERP systems
- Excel
- Time management
- Analytical skills
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Accounts payable
Work experience
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.”
Education
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.
Achievements and awards
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.
Certifications
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.
Purchasing Resume Examples You Can Use
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.
Customer Reviews You Can Trust
Tips for Creating Your Purchasing Resume
Here are some tips for helping you write your purchasing resume:
- Choose the right resume format.
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.
- Showcase what you bring to the table.
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.
- Use active language.
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 resumeFAQ: Purchasing Resume
Have questions? We’re here to help.
Do I need to submit a cover letter with procurement agent resumes?
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.
Can I get a sourcing agent job with no experience?
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.
Is it a good idea to change up my requisition resume for every job posting?
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.
Couldn't find the answer you're looking for?
