Vendor Management Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a vendor manager provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving managing supplier relationships and negotiating vendor contracts. To succeed in your applications for vendor manager roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating a vendor manager resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
This complete guide to a vendor management resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your vendor management resume.
What to include in a vendor management resume
A successful vendor management resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections. A resume for candidates with little or no work experience may focus less on the work experience section, and bring sections to the fore that emphasize their skills, such as hobbies and interests, volunteer work, education, projects and skills lists.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header and Personal Information
In your vendor management resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. 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.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Jonathan Castillo
jonathan.castillo@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC
linkedin․com/in/jonathan–castillo123
Resume Summary
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for vendor manager roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. Always make sure your summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for vendor manager roles.
Alternatively, focus on introducing your career ambitions, and why this role is a good fit, both for you and the organization.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for vendor manager roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. See below for some great examples of how to approach your vendor management resume.
Dynamic Vendor Manager with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and extensive experience in procurement and vendor relations. Proven track record in streamlining vendor selection processes, negotiating favorable terms, and fostering strong supplier partnerships to drive cost efficiencies and ensure product quality. Adept at managing cross-functional teams and leveraging data analytics to optimize procurement strategies and achieve organizational goals. Skilled in contract management, risk assessment, and compliance adherence. Highly effective in enhancing operational performance and delivering continuous improvement in supply chain operations
Vendor manager with some background in business and dealing with suppliers. Worked on choosing vendors and making deals to save money and maintain quality. Experienced in working with different teams and using data to improve buying strategies. Familiar with handling contracts, assessing risks, and following rules. Focused on improving operations and making supply chain processes better
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your vendor management resume summary.
Hard and Soft Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for vendor manager jobs. These could be ERP systems proficiency, attention to detail or various other relevant skills. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for vendor manager positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Showcasing hard skills on your vendor management resume
Hard skills are specific skills related to the job you're applying for. They include particular abilities, technical skills and industry knowledge that relate directly to jobs as a vendor manager. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in a vendor management resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. If possible, add four or five hard skills that reflect the requirements of the job description. These will boost your chances of success in your applications.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective vendor management resume hard skills list looks like.
- Contract negotiation expertise
- Supply chain management
- Vendor performance metrics
Adding soft skills to your vendor management 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.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for a vendor management resume, see below.
- Negotiation and communication
- Conflict resolution skills
- Analytical problem solving
Educational Achievements
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a vendor manager.
Opportunities as a vendor manager and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your cost reduction strategies or contract negotiation 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. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
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
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Certifications and Training
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a vendor manager. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a vendor manager resume:
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), 2022
- Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), 2022
- Project Management Professional (PMP), 2022
Employment History
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a vendor manager. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Procurement and Vendor Relations Manager, January 2022 - Present
SupplyChain Solutions Inc, Lubbock
- Negotiated cost savings of 15% annually by establishing strategic supplier partnerships and implementing rigorous vendor performance metrics
- Streamlined procurement processes, reducing purchase order cycle time by 30% through the adoption of automated procurement systems
- Successfully led a cross-functional team to achieve ISO 9001 certification, enhancing supplier quality and compliance standards
Procurement and Vendor Relations Manager, January 2022 - Present
SupplyChain Solutions Inc, Lubbock
- Improved vendor relationships to enhance overall procurement efficiency and effectiveness
- Led initiatives to optimize procurement strategies and processes
- Enhanced supplier performance through strategic management and collaboration efforts
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Hear from experts:
Emphasize hands-on experience and relevant skills, such as customer service, teamwork, or problem-solving, to showcase your readiness for the role. (1) Use bullet points to organize your resume and keep it easy to read, especially for hiring managers scanning for key qualifications. (2)
Optional Information
There are several additional sections you could add to a vendor manager resume, to improve your chances of success. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as a vendor manager. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Volunteering
If you're lacking relevant vendor manager work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. 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 vendor management resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Only include referees that you've had prior approval from, and notify them to expect contact from the employer.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your vendor management resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Negotiate
- Coordinate
- Strategize
- Oversee
- Evaluate
- Streamline
- Implement
- Liaise
- Forecast
- Optimize
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Example of a vendor management resume
The vendor management resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC
•
jonathan.castillo@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/jonathan–castillo123
Results-driven Vendor Manager with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and extensive experience as a Vendor Relationship Manager. Proven expertise in fostering strategic partnerships, negotiating contracts, and optimizing vendor performance to drive operational efficiency and cost savings. Adept at managing complex vendor networks and aligning vendor capabilities with organizational goals. Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
Vendor Relationship Manager
2020
-2022
Nexus Partnerships Inc (Glendale)
- Negotiated 15% cost reduction with key vendors, saving $500K annually while ensuring high-quality product delivery and service standards
- Implemented comprehensive vendor performance tracking system, improving supplier accountability and reducing late deliveries by 30%
- Established strategic partnerships with new vendors, expanding product offerings and increasing market competitiveness by 20%
Contract negotiation expertise
Supply chain management
Vendor performance metrics
Negotiation and communication
Conflict resolution skills
Analytical problem solving
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for a vendor manager resume
- Mention your key educational achievements, such as degrees and professional qualifications, along with grades such as your GPA, if they're high.
- Aim for a brief, concise vendor management resume. One page is ideal for junior roles, while two pages are more suitable for senior positions.
- Tailor your resume to make it as relevant as possible to the role you're applying for. Consult the job description and adapt your resume to reflect the required skills and experience.
- Showcase your key skills throughout your resume, as well as in your dedicated skills list, with each skill reflecting the job description.
- Add each relevant job in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent position and working back from there.
- Don't use old contact information and always review your resume header to make sure it contains the latest information.
- Don't include personal details beyond your name, location and contact details. Adding your age, gender, nationality or a photo can create unwanted hiring bias.
- Don't include hobbies unless you're light on work experience and they help you prove a skill required for the job.
- Don't use passive language - avoid phrases like 'I was tasked with' and use strong action verbs instead.
- Don't lie or exaggerate on your vendor management resume, as this can create false expectations in employers and harm you in the future.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. When drafting your vendor management resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Follow these simple rules when writing your resume, to make sure it's ATS compliant:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
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.
FAQs for a vendor management resume
Accompanying your resume for vendor manager applications, you'll want to produce a cover letter that similarly leaves a positive impression on hiring managers.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the vendor manager role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
If you're an experienced vendor manager, your resume should focus on your extensive work experience and the achievements in your career to date. As an experienced vendor manager candidate, you'll want your resume to highlight your relevant work history. As such, consider going further back than the standard 10 to 15 years with your employment history. Your vendor management resume could also include optional sections that demonstrate your experience levels and reputation in your industry. These could include, for example, awards, achievements and successful projects.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your vendor manager application, a resume headline can help. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Write a short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Aspiring Vendor Management Specialist
- Expert Vendor Relationship Strategist
- Senior Vendor Management Specialist
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. For entry-level roles, or situations where you're changing to a new career, a functional resume is often the best option. This places your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Key points for your vendor management resume
The best resumes focus on your skills and the value you've added to previous roles, rather than focusing on your duties and responsibilities. Pick a resume format that matches your experience levels, and tailor the content of your resume to reflect the details of 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. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
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/
