Purchasing managers play an important role in many organizations as they develop and implement strategies to effectively source suppliers and buy products, equipment, and materials. The bottom line is simple: many companies rely on competent purchasing experts to safeguard their supply chains. As a purchasing manager, it is important to learn how to create a powerful purchasing manager resume that can convince a hiring manager to interview you for the job.
We’ve created this “Purchasing Manager Resume Example, Tips & Tricks” guide to provide you with the information you need to craft a truly compelling resume. In this guide, you will discover the elements you need to include in any successful resume, key tips that can differentiate you from your competition, and insight into the skills today’s employers expect to see in any purchasing manager resume.
How to write a resume
Today’s employers expect to see professional resumes that are more than just a list of where you worked in the last decade. If you hand the average hiring manager that type of resume submission these days, your chances of landing an interview are likely to drop to near zero. So, what does it take to really capture an employer’s attention and increase your odds of being considered for a position? The answer is simple: the right format, compelling content, and a tailored approach to selling yourself as the best candidate for the job.
Choose the right format
If you take any time to research your resume format options, you’ll quickly discover that most job seekers rely on a chronological resume – or, more specifically, a reverse chronological format. This formatting option is simple to use since your experience section will detail all the companies you’ve worked for in the last 10-15 years, beginning with your most recent or current employer. Other formats may list those experiences in a less structured way, which can force employers to search for those recent experiences.
Convey the right information
The reverse-chronological resume format also makes it easier to include the right information since it lends itself to a simple and easy-to-manage structure. The key is to separate the content of your resume into defined sections and use headings that make it easy for the hiring manager to locate the details you want them to see. These sections will include:
Contact details like your first and last name, location, phone number, email, and professional LinkedIn URL
The job title of the position you’re seeking
An introductory summary statement that highlights your skills, experience, and accomplishments
Your core competencies – both hard and soft skills that make you suitable for the position
Professional experience going back over the last 10-15 years
Educational achievements like degrees, certifications, coursework, etc.
Tailor each resume to fit each desired job
One of the biggest mistakes many job seekers make is sending the same resume to every company. While that is an easy way to apply to multiple companies in a short period of time, it is not the most effective way to get the attention you deserve. Instead, you should carefully customize your main resume to ensure that it is perfectly aligned with each company’s needs. To do that effectively, you need to focus on the following details in your Purchasing Manager resume.
Make sure that the job title you list aligns with the company’s open position.
Choose skills that match those listed in the job posting. You should also use the same keywords the company used in its posting to ensure that your resume can pass the application tracking system that will likely be used to screen resume submissions.
Focus on achievements that demonstrate your proficiency in the skills the company lists as qualifications for the position. These achievements should be included in your professional experience section, listed in bullet point format for each of your prior employers. For more insight into how this is properly done, check out the Purchasing Manager resume sample link below.
Purchasing Manager resume example
Sometimes, the best way to understand something is to see it with your own eyes. That’s why we’ve included a link to a sample Purchasing Manager resume that you can study to learn more about how all of these various elements come together to create a personalized resume.
Name
Title
City, State or Country if international
Phone | Email
LinkedIn URL
PURCHASING MANAGER PROFESSIONAL
Accomplished Purchasing Manager with a proven excellent track providing exceptional leadership and strategic solutions for industry leaders. Extensive cross-functional expertise in purchasing, materials management, logistics, relationship management, and the development of integral process improvements. Outstanding academic qualifications including a Bachelor of Business Management combined with over five years of industry experience. Proven ability to develop procedures that result in a decrease in overhead while increasing profits. Highly capable of analyzing existing systems and processes to devise notable enhancements to integrate technology and automation to eliminate inefficiencies and maximize revenues.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Industry Research
Supplier Relationships
Operational Planning
Supply Chain
Logistics
Bid Preparation
Bid Evaluation
Contract Administration
Order Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Purchasing Manager
ZipJob, New York NY | Year to Year
Responsibilities
Presented production control and procurement information to large groups of colleagues, customers as well as key stakeholders/upper executives
Utilized ERP systems, MPS Reports and additional technology to maximize productivity
Lead complex projects delivering each on time and under budget while exceeding client expectations
Responsible for improving methods for developing purchase orders, production scheduling, lead times, logistic and overall documentation
Improved our production strategy and functionality within the areas of supplier sourcing, supply management, process improvement and cost efficiency.
Conducted a detailed supplier review to source an alternate cone packaging supplier in proximity to the factory, reducing lead time from 10 to 3 days.
Managed the packaging change, reducing the use of printed cartons by 60%, to save 30% in printing costs.
Built relationships with third party vendors, negotiating to sell waste by pound, at best possible rate, thus partially recovering the costs.
Developed protocols to improve the efficiency of preparing all purchase orders which expedited materials delivery from suppliers and developed a supply plan to achieve targeted dates.
Purchasing Clerk
ZipJob, New York NY | Year to Year
Responsibilities
Responsible for leading teams to organize monthly cycle cycles and annual plant wide physical inventory
Collaborated with numerous departments on our vast purchasing activities and developed a protocol for the accurate and effective maintenance of inventory
EDUCATION
Complete School Name, City, St/Country: List Graduation Years If Within the Last Ten Years
Complete Degree Name (Candidate) – Major (GPA: List if over 3.3)
Relevant Coursework: List coursework taken (even include those you are planning on taking)
Awards/Honors: List any awards, honors or big achievements
Clubs/Activities: List clubs and activities in which you participated
Relevant Projects: List 2-3 projects you have worked on
Key hard & soft skills for a Purchasing Manager
Successful Purchasing Managers need a specific set of skills to perform their duties effectively. Like many other job roles, this position requires an array of hard (sometimes called technical) skills, as well as key soft skills. Usually, a good job posting will include some keywords that describe at least some of these required skills, so take the time to study the job description and identify any core qualifications that the employer wants to see in your resume.
In addition, there are some common skills that can help your resume to stand out from the crowd. For example, here are some key hard skills that you should consider including in your resume:
Data analytics
Since a Purchasing Manager is responsible for meeting quotas and other measurable goals, it is important for you to have sound analysis skills. You need to demonstrate that you know how to analyze and understand various performance metrics and other relevant data points to ensure that your purchasing decisions are aligned with the company’s needs.
Logistics
Given your role in organizational supply chains, you must understand how to manage logistical planning and execution. Employers who are hiring Purchasing Managers will want to see these vital abilities highlighted somewhere in your resume.
Strategic planning
When it comes to maintaining an efficient supply and material acquisition plan, strategic thinking is essential. You need to know which materials and supplies the company needs and when it needs them. Moreover, you will also need to know how to maintain an efficient acquisition strategy that is both time-sensitive and cost-effective.
As we mentioned, you also need certain soft skills to fill this role. Make sure you include these abilities in your Purchasing Manager resume too:
Relationship management
Your Purchasing Manager resume also needs to highlight your key management skills. Managing other people requires you to possess effective relationship skills that help you interact with everyone on your team. In addition, your ability to manage relationships will be vital as you interact with vendors, material suppliers, and other external partners.
Communication
Verbal and written communication skills are highly prized as well, so be sure to highlight them in your resume. As a Purchasing Manager, you will need to be able to verbally direct your team and communicate with superiors, clients, and vendors while also preparing reports, strategic plans, and other written documents.
Negotiation
Your negotiation skills will also be key assets for any prospective employer. Effective management of any organization’s purchases requires the ability to negotiate the best possible deal on any acquisition. Include this key ability in your core competencies section and use one of your experience section bullet points to highlight a time when you successfully used this skill to benefit a previous employer.
Summary & last words
In today’s competitive job market, it is more important than ever before to ensure that your resume presents you as the most attractive candidate for any desired position. To do that, you need to make sure that your Purchasing Manager resume is focused on highlighting the key things that every employer wants to see:
Vital experiences that demonstrate your ability to be part of the company’s team
Quantifiable achievements that give hiring managers insight into your potential value
Key soft and hard skills that meet and exceed the job qualifications
With the information, tips, and example included in this guide, you should have the tools you need to improve your existing resume or create a new one – and increase your odds of making a great impression on any prospective employer.
Introduction to ZipJob: Professional resume writers
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Why you should make use of our resume writing services to land your next job as a Purchasing Manager
Of course, it’s not enough to just know how to write a great resume. You also need to know how to create a resume that aligns with the needs of your industry. The talented resume writers at ZipJob work to understand your industry and identify the skills and experiences that employers want to see in job seekers just like you. Learn more about how our experts can help you get the resume you need by contacting us today.
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