Procurement Manager CV example

You already know how to evaluate suppliers and make cost-effective decisions – now it’s time to apply the same rigour to your CV.

This guide breaks down how to present your experience and skills to align your CV with exactly what recruiters want to see in a high-performing procurement lead.

When it comes to structuring your CV, you’re going to need to follow the same principles of clear documentation that procurement relies on. A cluttered or inconsistent layout can bury your achievements and confuse the hiring manager. Structure your CV so your impact and expertise are immediately visible.

Here’s the structure to follow:

• Name and contact details – Ensure your name and comtact details are easily visible at the top. A photo is optional and depends on the role.
• Profile – Craft a short introduction that showcases your professional background and key accomplishments.
• Core skills – Provide a quick overview of your top skills that show why you’re a great fit.
• Work experience – Outline your career progression in reverse order, emphasising your contributions and successes.
• Education – Provide details on your academic background, including certifications or specialised training.
• Additional info – You can add hobbies or activities here that reflect your enthusiasm for the industry.
  

Use bullet points through each section of your CV to make your contributions easy for recruiters to skim. Divide each section with clear headings and keep your font clean and professional. Stick to two pages length or less, ensuring that every word justifies its space: too much will overwhelm the reader, and too little won’t do you justice. Following these helpful tips will ensure consistent formatting which every recruiter appreciates.

This section is your executive summary. Rather than list your tasks or traits, use it to communicate the value you’d bring to any organisation: lower costs, better supplier performance, improved compliance, and more resilient supply chains.

Think about it from the recruiter’s perspective. What kind of Procurement Manager are they looking for? Someone who sees the big picture, knows how to negotiate at scale, and can balance cost control with long-term vendor value. Your CV profile needs to instantly establish that you’re someone they can rely on to deliver value.

Your profile should include the following:

• Where you worked – You might have worked in large-scale manufacturing, healthcare procurement, local government, or multinational FMCG companies, overseeing complex supply chains and diverse vendor portfolios.
• Your top qualifications – You could hold a degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or Economics, alongside MCIPS status or CIPS Level 4–6 certification.
• Essential skills – You may bring deep knowledge of tendering processes, cost analysis, risk mitigation, category management, and contract negotiation.
• Specialisms – Your experience may include managing international procurement, leading category strategies, implementing new sourcing platforms, or improving ESG compliance within supply chains.
• Value delivered – In previous roles, you may have cut procurement costs by a set percentage, reduced supplier turnover, driven compliance across departments, or improved contract terms through strategic negotiation.

This is where your commercial and technical expertise needs to shine. Focus on hard, demonstrable skills that a recruiter can match to their job spec – no vague claims or fluff.

Include specialist tools and platforms you’ve used, and demonstrate your ability to manage procurement lifecycles from sourcing through to supplier relationship management. Tailor this section to mirror the role you’re applying for – the more directly aligned your skills are with the employer’s needs, the better.

Your work experience should demonstrate leadership and quantifiable value. Employers want to see your track record and how you’ll continue it at their company.

Walk through your experience in reverse chronological order. For each role, begin with a short summary of the organisation and your role within it. Then, break down your responsibilities and achievements using bullet points – making sure to quantify your impact whenever possible. Procurement is performance-driven, so your CV should highlight real-world wins.

• Outline – Introduce the company and explain your position within the procurement function, noting scale, reporting line, and categories managed.
• Responsibilities – Use power words like “negotiated” and “streamlined.” For example: “negotiated supplier terms across £12M category portfolio” or “streamlined purchasing workflows via new e-sourcing platform.” Mention platforms or frameworks used.
• Achievements – Highlight measurable impact: total savings, supplier retention improvements, lead time reductions, or procurement process efficiencies. Use figures to back up your contributions.

While your experience often carries more weight, a solid educational foundation gives employers confidence in your analytical and commercial capabilities. Focus on qualifications that support your procurement expertise.

Start with your most recent qualification. This could be a bachelor’s degree in Business, Logistics, or Supply Chain Management, followed by vocational training or professional accreditation. CIPS certifications are especially valued in UK-based procurement roles, so make sure to include them clearly.