Shipping Manager Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a shipping manager provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving ensuring compliance with SOPs and coordinating with suppliers. A strong resume for shipping manager applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a shipping manager resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
The aim of this article is to equip you with all the knowledge required to create a resume that positions you to succeed in your shipping manager applications. 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 how to write a perfect shipping manager resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
What to include in a shipping manager resume
The key sections to include in a shipping manager resume are similar to those for any role or profession.
If you have no work experience as a shipping manager or have just started in the industry, you could consider using a functional or skills-based format, which emphasizes your skills and education. Likewise, an entry-level resume might focus more on soft and transferable skills, as well as details about internships, voluntary work or relevant training you've completed.
If you have some experience as a shipping manager, use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format and focus on showing how you've used the skills required for the job in your career to date. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
As a highly experienced candidate, you'll want your shipping manager resume to showcase your depth of relevant work experience, as well as other achievements. Use a reverse-chronological format and add additional sections to prove you're a strong candidate. Senior resumes are often longer than resumes for junior roles. This is because you may choose to include extra sections, such as awards, professional memberships, publications, conferences or certifications on your resume.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes 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. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
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.
Eleanor Patel
eleanor.patel@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, NM
linkedin․com/in/eleanor–patel123
Resume Profile
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for shipping 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. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for shipping manager roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why shipping manager roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. See below for some great examples of what to include in your shipping manager resume summary.
Good example:
Dynamic and results-driven Shipping Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management and extensive experience as a Logistics and Supply Chain Manager. Proven track record in optimizing logistics operations, coordinating complex supply chain processes, and implementing cost-effective strategies. Skilled in inventory management, vendor negotiations, and enhancing overall efficiency to meet organizational goals. Strong leadership abilities with a focus on team development and continuous improvement
Bad example:
Worked in shipping and logistics with some background in supply chain management. Have experience in making things run smoother and saving costs. Familiar with managing stock and talking to suppliers. Can lead a team and work on improving processes
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your shipping manager resume summary
Work Experience
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a shipping 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.
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 shipping manager jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. Review some strong examples of resume work experience sections in the graphic below.
Good example:
Logistics and Supply Chain Manager, January 2022 - Present
Oceanic Freight Solutions, Anchorage
- Reduced logistics costs by 25% through route optimization and strategic supplier partnerships
- Implemented a JIT inventory system, decreasing warehouse holding costs by 30%
- Successfully led a cross-functional team to achieve a 99.5% on-time delivery rate over two years
Bad example:
Logistics and Supply Chain Manager, January 2022 - Present
Oceanic Freight Solutions, Anchorage
- Improved logistics processes to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Managed inventory systems to optimize storage and distribution
- Led team initiatives to achieve high delivery performance
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Education
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for shipping manager roles.
To work as a shipping manager, employers tend to require candidates to have a specialist degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. If you have this degree, focus on it in your education section, while also mentioning any educational achievements that show your ERP software proficiency or supply chain optimization.
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 could also add one or two bullet points to draw attention to your grades if they were particularly good, as well as any specialist subjects you studied. This will help the hiring manager understand your knowledge and special skills better.
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 Science in Supply Chain Management, 2017 - 2020
University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
Skills
The skills section of a shipping manager resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include freight cost analysis, time management or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key shipping manager skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
Listing hard skills on your shipping manager 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 shipping manager. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in a shipping manager resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a shipping manager resume, see below.
- Logistics management systems
- Inventory control techniques
- Freight cost analysis
Soft skills on your shipping manager resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to shipping manager roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
A good soft skills section would include skills that match the job description, and also reflect your key strengths and qualities. See the graphic below for an indication of what to include in a strong soft skills section for a shipping manager resume.
- Communication skills
- Time management
- Problem-solving ability
Licenses and Certifications
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to shipping manager jobs. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a shipping manager. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a shipping manager resume:
- APICS CSCP, 2022
- ISM CPSM, 2022
- PMI PMP, 2022
Jobseeker Tip:
Optional Information
There are several additional sections you could add to a shipping manager resume, to improve your chances of success. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for shipping manager jobs.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world shipping manager experience. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Volunteer Experience
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for shipping manager roles beyond your main employment history. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
Although it's rare to include references on a shipping manager resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References will be available upon request.
Best action words for your shipping manager resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Coordinate
- Oversee
- Manage
- Execute
- Streamline
- Optimize
- Supervise
- Implement
- Schedule
- Monitor
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Sample resume for shipping manager positions
The shipping manager resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
308 Negra Arroyo Lane, Albuquerque, NM
•
eleanor.patel@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/eleanor–patel123
Results-driven Shipping Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and extensive experience as a Logistics and Distribution Manager. Proven track record in optimizing supply chain operations, improving distribution efficiency, and managing complex logistics networks. Adept at coordinating with multiple stakeholders to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of goods. Strong leadership skills with a focus on enhancing team performance and achieving organizational goals
Logistics and Distribution Manager
2020
-2022
SwiftFlow Logistics (Long Beach)
- Successfully reduced transportation costs by 15% through strategic route optimization and vendor negotiation
- Implemented a new inventory management system, decreasing stock discrepancies by 25% and improving order accuracy
- Spearheaded a distribution network redesign, resulting in a 20% increase in delivery speed and a 10% reduction in overhead costs
Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
2017
-2020
Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)
Logistics management systems
Inventory control techniques
Freight cost analysis
Communication skills
Time management
Problem-solving ability
APICS CSCP
ISM CPSM
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for a shipping manager resume
Tips for best resume practices
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Showcase your key shipping manager qualities with a strong resume summary or objective to catch the attention of the reader.
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Adapt your resume for every job application for maximum impact. Review the job description to understand the specific requirements for the role.
- Include any relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role, for maximum readability.
Steer clear of these common resume writing errors
- Don't include irrelevant work experience in your resume because it takes up valuable space and is unlikely to improve your chances of success.
- Don't write any unnecessary personal details on your resume. Details such as age, gender or nationality can lead to unintentional recruitment bias.
- Don't fill your resume with unnecessary details. Focus everything on showing you're right for the job.
- Don't fill your resume with industry jargon or business-speak that could alienate the reader.
- Don't lie or exaggerate on your shipping manager 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. If you follow a few simple tips when writing your shipping manager 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:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- 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.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- 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.
- Use simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
If you need help creating a professional resume, take a look at our expert career articles and variety of resume examples created by careers experts.
A shipping manager resume FAQs
After writing your shipping manager resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the shipping manager role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
Writing a shipping manager resume with no experience needn't be a daunting task. There are still plenty of ways to impress hiring managers with your resume. Use a functional resume format instead of the standard reverse-chronological structure. This emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your shipping manager application, a resume headline can help. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
You can use this example resume headline as a template for creating your own:
- Junior Shipping Operations Specialist
- Efficient Logistics and Shipping Expert
- Experienced Senior Shipping Manager
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. 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.
Takeaways for a winning shipping manager 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. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. 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) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
Impress potential employers with your resume
Follow step-by-step professional guidance to create a polished resume in minutes.
