Purchasing Manager Resume Guide
Purchasing managers are responsible for researching, selecting and purchasing the goods or services their organization needs to operate. They monitor stock levels, ensure timely delivery of products and negotiate contracts with vendors. Additionally, they analyze supplier performance metrics in order to identify areas of improvement and cost savings opportunities.
You have the perfect skillset for a purchasing manager role, but hiring managers won’t know that unless you show them. To make sure they take notice of your experience and accomplishments, create a resume that stands out from the competition.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Purchasing Manager Resume Sample
Manley Oberbrunner
Purchasing Manager
[email protected]
954-042-3692
linkedin.com/in/manley-oberbrunner
Summary
Committed and results-oriented purchasing manager with 8+ years of experience in strategic procurement, supplier relationship management, and inventory control. At XYZ Inc., successfully managed a $5M annual budget for raw materials while reducing procurement costs by 15%. Experienced in developing effective sourcing strategies to maximize cost savings for the organization. Skilled at identifying potential suppliers & negotiating terms to ensure timely delivery of goods.
Experience
Purchasing Manager, Employer A
Miami, Jan 2018 – Present
- Facilitated the purchase of over $2 million worth of goods and services annually, monitoring inventory levels to ensure timely delivery while keeping costs at a minimum.
- Developed new purchasing strategies that reduced overall procurement expenses by 10%, resulting in annual savings of up to $200K for the organization.
- Spearheaded vendor negotiations and contract management activities, leading cross-functional teams on complex projects involving multiple suppliers worldwide.
- Successfully managed a team of 5 Purchasing Agents, providing guidance on best practices related to cost analysis & evaluating conflicting bids from vendors; trained staff members in proper negotiation techniques with suppliers/vendors saving an additional 4% on total spendings over 2 years’ time frame.
- Formulated comprehensive quality control measures which improved product reliability threefold compared to previous standards within 6 months after implementation.
Purchasing Manager, Employer B
Eugene, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Optimized purchasing processes and procedures, resulting in a 10% reduction in inventory costs.
- Revised supplier contracts to reduce product costs by $7,000 over the last year.
- Streamlined ordering process for faster turnaround times of materials from suppliers; reduced lead time by 15%.
- Mentored junior staff on procurement best practices and successfully trained 5 new employees within 4 months of hire date.
- Diligently tracked purchase orders, invoices and other documents related to purchasing operations while ensuring accurate record keeping at all times.
Skills
- Purchasing
- Procurement
- Supply Chain Management
- Contract Negotiation
- Manufacturing
- Supply Chain
- Strategic Sourcing
- Continuous Improvement
- Supply Management
Education
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
Institute
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
Your resume summary should provide the hiring manager with a snapshot of your experience and qualifications as a purchasing manager. Include information such as how many years you have been in this role, any relevant certifications or awards you may have received, and examples of successful cost-saving initiatives that you implemented at previous companies. This will give them an idea of what kind of value you can bring to their organization.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Enthusiastic purchasing manager with 8+ years of experience in supply chain and logistics management. Proven track record in developing innovative procurement strategies to reduce costs by an average of 20%. Strong negotiating skills, adept at vendor selection, contract negotiation and supplier relationship management resulting in improved customer satisfaction ratings. Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards for quality control.
Dependable purchasing manager with more than 10 years of experience in procurement and supply chain management. Adept at creating cost-effective strategies to increase efficiency, reduce spend, and improve customer satisfaction. Skilled negotiator who is able to secure the best prices for goods while meeting delivery deadlines. Seeking a role as Purchasing Manager with ABC Company to leverage my expertise in sourcing materials and managing vendor relationships.
Well-rounded purchasing manager with 8+ years of experience in the procurement and supply chain industry. Proven track record of developing cost-effective strategies that reduce costs while increasing customer satisfaction. At XYZ, managed a team of 10 buyers to ensure timely delivery for 300 items; saved $200K through successful negotiation tactics. Experienced in working with ERP systems and leveraging data analytics to improve ROI on supplier relationships.
Seasoned Purchasing Manager with 10+ years of experience in global sourcing, procurement and supply chain management. Proven track record of delivering cost savings through strategic vendor selection, contract negotiations and process optimization. Experienced working across multiple industries including electronics, automotive and manufacturing. Managed the overall purchasing operations for a $50M business unit at XYZ Company with excellent results.
Determined Purchasing Manager with 5+ years’ experience in developing, negotiating and executing purchasing contracts. Possesses an extensive knowledge of procurement principles and practices that can be leveraged to benefit XYZ Company’s bottom line. At ABC Corp., managed a budget exceeding $2M while cultivating relationships with suppliers to ensure the best prices for products and services. Proven track record of reducing costs by 25%.
Detail-oriented purchasing manager with 7+ years of experience in inventory planning, supply chain management and vendor relations. Proven track record for driving cost savings initiatives and streamlining purchasing processes to meet organizational objectives. Looking to join ABC Corp as the Purchasing Manager where I can use my knowledge and skillset to improve efficiencies while achieving corporate goals.
Hard-working purchasing manager with 7+ years of experience in the industry. Proven track record of streamlining purchasing processes and reducing costs by an average of 12% while maintaining a high-quality standard for products and services. Seeking to join ABC Company to help improve their supply chain operations, increase efficiency, and reduce overall expenses.
Talented purchasing manager with 8+ years of experience in cost-effective sourcing, inventory management and logistics. Proven success in negotiating contracts and driving down costs while building strong relationships with suppliers. Seeking to leverage my skills at ABC Corporation to ensure timely delivery of quality materials that meet or exceed expectations.
2. Experience / Employment
The work history/experience section is where you provide details on your employment history. This should be written in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent job is listed first.
Stick to bullet points when writing this section; doing so makes it easier for the reader to quickly take in what you have said. When providing detail about each role, make sure to include quantifiable results and accomplishments achieved during that time period.
For example, instead of saying “Managed purchasing process,” you could say, “Successfully managed a team of five buyers responsible for procuring over $2 million worth of materials annually from global suppliers.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Compiled and managed purchase orders for over 2,000 items of inventory while ensuring that all items were delivered on time and within budget, resulting in a 15% reduction in operational costs.
- Demonstrated excellent negotiation skills to secure cost-saving contracts with vendors; successfully reduced procurement expenses by $25,000 per quarter.
- Improved invoice accuracy rate from 70% to 95%, eliminating errors related to incorrect pricing or delivery discrepancies and improving customer satisfaction by 20%.
- Prepared detailed reports on purchasing activity for upper management review which aided decision making regarding new suppliers and products selection; accomplished this task within an 8 hour timeframe each week with no supervision required.
- Independently evaluated vendor performance metrics such as quality assurance, product availability & timeliness of shipments; monitored these criteria monthly against established benchmarks to ensure supplier compliance standards are met at all times.
- Represented the organization in negotiating and purchasing deals with vendors, resulting in a 15% reduction of total annual expenditure on supplies.
- Coordinated with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of ordered goods, saving up to 20 hours per month due to optimized supply chain management processes.
- Substantially reduced inventory costs by 18%, using analytics-driven strategies for accurate forecasting and demand planning.
- Introduced an automated purchase order system that increased efficiency by 25%, allowing for quick access to product information & supplier details as needed.
- Presented weekly performance reportsto senior management detailing current market trends, pricing structures & potential opportunities; identified $130K worth of cost savings over 8 months from proactive sourcing initiatives.
- Actively monitored supplier performance and negotiated purchase agreements, resulting in a 20% reduction of procurement costs.
- Reduced lead times by 45%, improving delivery schedule adherence from 80% to 95%.
- Expedited the purchasing process for high-priority items through direct sourcing; saved up to $4,000 a month on average.
- Advised management on cost savings opportunities and best practices regarding vendor selection and product purchases; identified over 100 potential vendors across multiple categories within 6 months period.
- Utilized ERP systems for inventory tracking & control purposes, ensuring that stock level was maintained at optimal levels throughout the year with minimal disruption to operations flow.
- Participated in the development and implementation of purchasing policies, procedures and strategies that achieved an annual cost savings of $100k.
- Reorganized inventory management systems to minimize stockouts while maintaining optimal inventory levels; reduced on-hand stock by 20% without compromising customer service goals.
- Reliably sourced vendors with high quality standards for raw materials, supplies and services at competitive prices; negotiated contracts with over 50 suppliers which resulted in a 10% reduction in total costs.
- Assessed supplier performance based on criteria such as delivery reliability, product quality & pricing competitiveness; implemented corrective action plans to address any deficiencies found during these assessments for improved vendor relations and greater value for money purchases going forward.
- Structured supply agreements that included payment terms tailored to company’s cash flow needs, ensuring timely payment discounts were taken advantage of each month resulting in a 15% increase in net profits from procurement activities year-over-year.
3. Skills
Skill requirements will differ from employer to employer – this can easily be determined via the job advert. Organization ABC may be looking for a purchasing manager with experience in the automotive industry, while Organization XYZ may require someone who is well-versed in international sourcing.
It’s important to tailor your skills section of your resume to each job that you are applying for because many employers today use applicant tracking systems (ATS). These computer programs scan resumes and search for certain keywords before passing them on to a human recruiter.
In addition to just listing relevant skills here, it’s also wise to discuss these further throughout other areas of the resume such as within the summary or work history sections.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Account Management
- Business Development
- Continuous Improvement
- Contract Management
- Contract Negotiation
- Cross Functional Team Leadership
- Engineering
- Forecasting
- Global Sourcing
- Inventory Control
- Lean Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Logistics Management
- MRP
- Manufacturing
- Materials Management
- Operations Management
- Pricing
- Process Improvement
- Procurement
- Product Development
- Project Planning
- Purchase Management
- Purchasing
- SAP
- Sales Operations
- Six Sigma
- Sourcing
- Spend Analysis
- Strategic Sourcing
- Supplier Development
- Supplier Evaluation
- Supplier Negotiation
- Supply Chain
- Supply Chain Management
- Supply Management
- Team Leadership
- Time Management
4. Education
Adding an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have little to no work experience, include the education section below your resume objective. However, if you have significant professional experience that is relevant to the job description of a purchasing manager, omitting the education section might be more beneficial for showcasing those experiences instead.
If an education section is included on the resume, try to mention courses related to procurement or supply chain management so it ties into what employers look for in a purchasing manager role.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills required for a particular job. It is important to include any relevant certifications in your resume as it can help set you apart from other applicants.
Including certifications on your resume shows hiring managers that you are committed to staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices, which could give them more confidence in considering you for the position.
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
Institute
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Manley Oberbrunner, this would be Manley-Oberbrunner-resume.pdf or Manley-Oberbrunner-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Submitting a cover letter is an important part of the job application process. It gives you the chance to share more about yourself and your qualifications than what is outlined in your resume. A cover letter typically consists of 2 to 4 paragraphs that are separate from a resume and should be tailored for each role applied for.
Writing a cover letter can help make you stand out as a candidate because it gives recruiters additional insights into who you are and why you would be an excellent fit for the position they’re looking to fill. Although not all jobs require one, having one will give you an edge over other applicants when applying!
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Micah,
I am writing to apply for the Purchasing Manager position at XYZ Corporation. With more than 10 years of experience in purchasing and supply chain management, I am confident I can contribute to your bottom line.
In my current role as Purchasing Manager at ABC Corporation, I oversee a team of five buyers and manage a budget of $20 million. I have successfully negotiated vendor contracts, reducing costs by an average of 15%. My team has also maintained high levels of customer satisfaction by ensuring timely delivery of goods and services.
I am knowledgeable about various software systems used for purchasing and inventory management, including SAP and Oracle. I am also proficient in Microsoft Office applications such as Excel and PowerPoint. In addition, my excellent communication skills allow me to effectively interface with vendors, suppliers, and other members of the organization.
I would welcome the opportunity to bring my experience and expertise to XYZ Corporation as your next Purchasing Manager. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Manley