7 things to include in your procurement and supply CV
Want to stand out from the crowd and get noticed by key procurement and supply professionals? CIPS Procurement & Supply Jobs have highlighted seven key things to include in your CV to make a great first impression and land an interview.
1: Personal statement
The preface to your entire CV, you need to have a punchy and engaging personal statement (or executive summary) consisting of two to three sentences maximum. Covering your biggest achievements and core responsibilities, it should be an elevator pitch for your CV.
Example: Experienced
MCIPS qualified Procurement Manager with 12 years of experience in the tech and retail industry, with a proven track record of implementing strategic procurement initiatives to deliver increased business performance. Successfully implemented X, Y and Z resulting in a X% reduction in procurement costs, and a Y% improvement in P&L. Skilled in contract negotiation, financial analysis and production planning to deliver exceptional results.
Example: Entry-level
Driven and results-oriented entry- level procurement professional with experience building strong supplier relationships, resulting in increased efficiency and reliability. Skilled in researching and negotiating contracts, achieving significant cost reductions across multiple procurement categories without compromising quality.
2: Job title specification
Titles and roles can vary hugely within the procurement and supply profession, so you need to specify exactly what it is that you do or have done within your position(s). Hiring managers don’t want to spend hours scanning your CV to see if you’re an appropriate fit, so make sure you follow your title with a brief role outline.
E.g. Procurement Officer – working in the global team as part of the commissioning division supporting the procurement of raw materials. Reported into the Procurement Manager.
3: Key responsibilities
Having the right experience is key, so make sure you list responsibilities that both reflect the job spec and articulate your value and potential to the hiring manager. You need to identify the requirements of the organisation you’re applying to, highlight your relevant experiences and demonstrate the value you can bring to the role.
Some key responsibilities that hiring managers will be looking for include:
- Risk management
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Team management
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Negotiating contracts
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Sourcing suppliers
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Maintaining supplier diversity
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Strategic procurement planning
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Cost analysis
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Managing inventory
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Implementing procurement technologies
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Inventory management
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Supply chain efficiency
4: Targeted skills list
Ensure your CV includes key skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for (always refer back to requirements within the job spec). It’s important to include a range of both soft and hard skills as both are vital for a role in procurement and supply.
Soft skills could include:
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Communication
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Attention to detail
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Negotiation
Hard skills could include:
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Technical proficiency
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Risk management
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Data analysis
5: Interests
Including interests on your CV is a great way to make you memorable and showcase your personality – helping the hiring manager establish if you’d be a good cultural fit for the organisation. Ensure you’re including interests that could be transferable to the procurement and supply profession and avoid listing generic or inappropriate interests that could be off-putting.
Some good examples include:
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Learning languages – desirable skill for procurement professionals.
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Meditation/yoga – shows patience, and discipline.
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Travelling – goes hand-in-hand with a procurement career.
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Mentoring – shows leadership and helping others succeed.
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Volunteering – giving back to the community.
6: Qualifications (and certifications)
Qualifications and certifications prove to the hiring manager that you have advanced skills in your field, and that you’re committed to your career. Even if you have your qualifications (such as MCIPS or FCIPS) following your name, include them on your CV, list the organisation that awarded it to you and include the date you became certified.
Want to get qualified? Advance your career in procurement with CIPS qualifications.
7: Professional associations
If you’re a member of any professional organisations or associations (such as CIPS or ISM) include this within your CV. This will show the hiring manager that you’re committed and invested in both the profession and your career.