Assistant Buyer Resume Example
Working as an assistant buyer can provide a rewarding career, involving analyzing sales data and negotiating with vendors. A strong resume for assistant buyer applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional assistant buyer resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating an assistant buyer resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. You'll find useful insights on constructing a resume that makes the most of your unique skills, experience and strengths. You'll also learn how to tailor your resume according to the job description, and depending on your experience levels. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your assistant buyer resume.
Main elements of an assistant buyer resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your assistant buyer resume, while there are also a few optional sections. If you're lacking relevant work experience, you might choose to add sections that showcase your skill set earlier than in a traditional resume layout. These sections might include projects, education, hobbies and interests, skills and other optional sections.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Resume Header
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Make your resume header clear, concise and as brief and compact as possible. Consider different layouts that spread the information horizontally across the page rather than using a different line for each piece of information.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Caroline Watson
caroline.watson@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1985 Hill Valley, CA
linkedin․com/in/caroline–watson123
Resume Profile
Next, write a short paragraph to introduce yourself. You could also call this section 'resume summary' or 'personal profile'. In two or three sentences, explain your professional background, achievements and key skills. If you choose to write a resume summary, this focuses on your career experience to date. On the other hand, a resume objective addresses your future plans and career ambitions. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as an assistant buyer.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for assistant buyer roles, while leaving the reader with an impression of your unique qualities and strengths. The most effective resume summaries also provide evidence to back up the claims made in them. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your assistant buyer resume summary.
Dynamic and detail-oriented Assistant Buyer with extensive experience as a Procurement Coordinator. Skilled in vendor relationship management, inventory control, and cost-effective purchasing strategies. Proven ability to streamline procurement processes, negotiate favorable terms, and manage budgets efficiently. Adept at analyzing market trends and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality materials and products. Strong communication and organizational skills with a track record of supporting business objectives and contributing to overall company profitability
Assistant buyer with some experience in buying and coordinating. Worked with vendors and managed inventory. Tried to find good deals and keep track of spending. Looked at market trends and made sure things arrived on time. Communicated and organized to help the company meet its goals
Alternatively, a poor resume summary would include bland, generic information that does little to prove your suitability for the role, while failing to provide any useful insights on you as a person or as a candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your assistant buyer resume summary.
Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for assistant buyer roles. Whether your skills include MS Excel expertise, data analysis proficiency or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Again, refer to the assistant buyer job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
How to list hard skills on your assistant buyer resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for assistant buyer positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key assistant buyer duties and responsibilities. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for an assistant buyer resume are listed below.
- Data analysis proficiency
- MS Excel expertise
- Inventory management systems
Soft skills on your assistant buyer resume
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
The strongest resume soft skills sections include a mix of skills that match your best personal strengths, and that reflect the skills listed in the job description. See below for some examples of effective soft skills for an assistant buyer resume.
- Attention to detail
- Time management skills
- Data analysis proficiency
Educational Achievements
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for assistant buyer roles.
Working as an assistant buyer doesn't usually require a degree. Even though a degree-level education isn't a necessity, it's still important to highlight your key educational achievements, including a Certified Purchasing Professional or other courses or training that showcases your data analysis proficiency or MS Excel expertise.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you organized or participated in any clubs or societies while at university, or you took part in any voluntary work, you could also mention these here.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), 2017 - 2020
Pennsylvania State University, University Park
Licenses and Certifications
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for an assistant buyer resume:
- Certified Purchasing Professional, 2022
- Certified Supply Chain, 2022
- Accredited Buyer Certification, 2022
Work History
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as an assistant buyer. List each relevant role in reverse-chronological order starting with your current or most recent role. Add your job title, the organization name, its location and the dates you worked there.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to assistant buyer jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Procurement Coordinator, January 2022 - Present
NovaLux Merchandising, Long Beach
- Successfully reduced procurement costs by 15% through strategic supplier negotiations and competitive bidding processes
- Implemented a digital procurement system, increasing order processing efficiency by 30% and reducing errors by 25%
- Developed and executed a supplier performance evaluation program, improving on-time delivery rates by 20%
Procurement Coordinator, January 2022 - Present
NovaLux Merchandising, Long Beach
- Assisted in procurement activities to enhance efficiency and support cost-saving initiatives
- Contributed to supplier management and performance improvement efforts
- Supported the implementation of new procurement systems and processes
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Expert Tip:
Focus on specific accomplishments that highlight your work ethic and reliability, such as "reduced processing time by 15%" or "earned Employee of the Month twice." (1) Pair this with a simple, clean format that ensures your resume looks professional and approachable. (2)
Additional Information
There are several additional sections you could add to an assistant buyer resume, to improve your chances of success. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for assistant buyer jobs.
Personal Interests
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. Only include hobbies and interests that showcase your personality and personal qualities, and add something different to your application.
Volunteer Work
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for assistant buyer roles beyond your main employment history. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
References aren't a standard assistant buyer resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best words to use in an assistant buyer resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Analyzed
- Negotiated
- Coordinated
- Sourced
- Evaluated
- Collaborated
- Forecasted
- Maintained
- Executed
- Optimized
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Example of an assistant buyer resume
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example assistant buyer resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
1985 Hill Valley, CA
•
caroline.watson@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/caroline–watson123
Results-driven Assistant Buyer with a strong background as a Procurement Assistant, adept at managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and optimizing inventory levels. Proven ability to analyze market trends, coordinate with multiple departments, and support procurement strategies to ensure timely and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services. Skilled in utilizing procurement software and maintaining accurate records to enhance operational efficiency and support business objectives.
Procurement Assistant
2020
-2022
Acme Sourcing Solutions (Henderson)
- Negotiated supplier contracts, achieving cost savings of 15% annually
- Implemented a new inventory system, reducing stock shortages by 30%
- Coordinated cross-departmental procurement projects, enhancing operational efficiency by 20%
Data analysis proficiency
MS Excel expertise
Inventory management systems
Attention to detail
Time management skills
Data analysis proficiency
Certified Purchasing Professional
Certified Supply Chain
English - Fluent
German - C1
Tips for assistant buyer resumes
- Kick off your assistant buyer resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
- Add key skills throughout your resume that match the job description, along with a dedicated 'skills' section.
- Quantify your successes by providing figures and other evidence that shows how your skills have made a difference to your employer.
- Add each relevant job in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent position and working back from there.
- Proofread your resume before sending it, to avoid any unnecessary mistakes that may harm your chances.
- Don't list personal details such as your age, gender or a photo, unless these are necessary for the role. They can lead to hiring bias.
- Don't lie or exaggerate any information on your assistant buyer resume, as this can cause you problems further down the line.
- Don't forget to keep your header up-to-date with every application, to make sure you don't include old contact information.
- Don't use an email address that creates an unprofessional impression. Instead, create an email address for job applications based on your name.
- Don't list irrelevant work experience as it will likely do nothing for your chances of success.
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. If you follow a few simple tips when writing your assistant buyer resume, you'll give yourself a better chance of ranking highly in the ATS screening and progressing to the next stage.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Add each section with clear headings that match the established resume conventions, so ATS software can easily identify each part of your resume.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about an assistant buyer resume
Accompanying your resume for assistant buyer applications, you'll want to produce a cover letter that similarly leaves a positive impression on hiring managers.
Firstly, think about whether you want to write a full, formal cover letter or whether a brief email to introduce yourself and draw attention to your resume will suffice.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the assistant buyer job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
If you have plenty of experience as an assistant buyer, you'll want your resume to showcase your extensive career history and achievements. As a assistant buyer with a wealth of experience, you'll want to showcase this in your work history section. Consider going back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years of employment history to show employers your experience levels. Add any optional sections that reinforce your image as a knowledgeable, respected professional in your field. This might include awards and other recognition, successful projects or a dedicated achievements section.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your assistant buyer applications. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Aspiring Junior Assistant Buyer
- Strategic Procurement and Inventory Specialist
- Senior Assistant Buyer Specialist
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Takeaways for your assistant buyer resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
