Purchasing manager Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Purchasing manager resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Purchasing managers are responsible for planning and executing the procurement of all the materials, services, and equipment needed by their organization. They’re often the first point of contact for vendors and suppliers, working with them to place orders and establish long-term relationships that benefit both parties.
Because purchasing managers work across many departments and stakeholders, they must be skilled communicators who can build trust with all types of people. They also need to be detail oriented and organized, with a knack for prioritizing tasks effectively.
To land your next purchasing manager job, you’ll need an eye-catching resume that highlights your skills and experience while showcasing your value as an asset to any organization.
How to Write a Purchasing Manager Resume
Here’s how to write a purchasing manager resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most effective way to showcase your experience and qualifications. And the best way to do that is by using specific examples and numbers. So rather than saying you “managed purchasing for large department store chain,” you could say that you “reduced costs by 10% across all departments by negotiating better rates with vendors and implementing new sourcing strategies.”
The second bullet point is much stronger because it provides specific details about what you did, how you did it, and the results of your work.
Related: What Is a Purchasing Manager? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a purchasing manager role, your resume is likely to go through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This system will scan your resume for certain keywords related to the job, like “purchasing” or “inventories.” If your resume doesn’t have enough of the right terms, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, make sure to include relevant keywords throughout all the sections of your resume. You can find a list of common purchasing manager keywords below:
- Purchasing
- Procurement
- Supply Chain Management
- Negotiation
- Purchase Management
- Inventory Management
- Logistics Management
- Forecasting
- Strategic Sourcing
- Supplier Negotiation
- Sourcing
- Manufacturing
- Sales
- Continuous Improvement
- Contract Negotiation
- Materials Management
- Direct Negotiation
- Contract Management
- Inventory Control
- Business Process Improvement
- Change Management
- Lean Manufacturing
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Negotiation Strategies
- Team Leadership
- Team Building
- Supplier Management
- Supplier Development
- Microsoft Access
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Showcase Your Technical Skills
Purchasing managers use a variety of software programs to complete their work, so it’s important to list any relevant technical skills you have. Programs like Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Google Suite (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar), and social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter are all commonly used by purchasing managers. Additionally, purchasing managers may be called on to use specific software programs relevant to their industry, so it’s important to be familiar with as many programs as possible.
Related: How Much Does a Purchasing Manager Make?
Remember The Basics
As you draft your resume, there are a few basic rules to keep in mind.
Create Easy-to Scan Sections
There are a few things you can do to make your resume easier to read and understand quickly. Aligning everything to the left, using a standard font type and size, and keeping bullets under 2 lines will help make your resume more skimmable. You should also try to leave some white space on the page to help the recruiter easily scan through your information.
Be Concise
There is no set length for a resume, but one page is generally the ideal length. When trimming down a resume, remove irrelevant information, filler words, and unnecessary details. Font type and size, margins, and line spacing can also be tweaked to save space on a resume.
Proofread
Proofreading your resume is important in order to make sure it looks professional and error-free. Spell checking is a must, as are punctuation and grammar checks. It is also helpful to have someone else proofread your resume for you, as they may catch mistakes that you have missed. Beware of easily confused words, and make sure that your tense is consistent throughout the resume.
Use a Summary
A resume summary statement can be an extremely useful tool for job seekers, as it allows them to quickly and effectively explain their past experience, transferable skills, and future goals. By highlighting your best traits and skills, as well as explaining how your experience translates into the role you’re seeking, you can make a strong case for why you’re the best candidate for the job.
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