Sourcing Specialist Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a sourcing specialist provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving analyzing cost data and negotiating with suppliers. For a successful sourcing specialist application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating a sourcing specialist resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a sourcing specialist resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your sourcing specialist resume.
Main elements of a sourcing specialist resume
A successful sourcing specialist resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate sourcing specialist positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Focus the content of your resume on your soft and transferable skills, and any hard or technical skills you've learned from your studies or career to date. You can also mention any relevant internships, training courses or voluntary roles you've taken on.
When applying for mid-level sourcing specialist positions, it's typically best to opt for a reverse-chronological resume format. This is because work experience tends to be the most important resume section for this level. In your resume work experience section, outline your relevant achievements and showcase the impact you've made in your career to date. Make sure everything you include is relevant to the job description.
For senior sourcing specialist roles, you're likely to be competing against highly experienced candidates. Use a reverse-chronological resume format and focus on adding additional information that shows your credentials beyond your work experience. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Header and Personal Information
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.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Douglas Ross
douglas.ross@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
0001 Cemetery Lane, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/douglas–ross123
Resume Summary
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, write a paragraph that concentrates on your career objectives and how this role fits with your wider ambitions and progression.
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. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a sourcing specialist resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Results-driven Sourcing Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management and extensive experience in procurement. Proven track record in identifying cost-saving opportunities, negotiating supplier contracts, and managing vendor relationships. Adept at streamlining procurement processes, ensuring compliance with company policies, and driving efficiency improvements. Strong analytical skills and a strategic approach to sourcing, with a focus on delivering high-quality materials and services to support organizational goals
Bad example:
Sourcing specialist with some background in supply chain management and buying things. Have found ways to save money and talked to suppliers about deals. Worked with vendors and made processes a bit smoother. Followed company rules and tried to make things more efficient. Good with numbers and thinking ahead, aiming to get good materials and services for the company
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 graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Work Experience
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your sourcing specialist skills. 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.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Good example:
Procurement Specialist, January 2022 - Present
GlobalSource Solutions Inc, Greensboro
- Successfully reduced procurement costs by 15% through strategic vendor negotiations and bulk purchasing agreements
- Implemented an automated procurement system, increasing efficiency and reducing order processing time by 30%
- Cultivated relationships with key suppliers, resulting in a 20% improvement in delivery times and product quality
Bad example:
Procurement Specialist, January 2022 - Present
GlobalSource Solutions Inc, Greensboro
- Improved procurement processes and vendor relations to enhance overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Played a key role in optimizing supplier performance and streamlining procurement operations
- Contributed to the enhancement of procurement strategies and supplier management practices
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. 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.
Education
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for sourcing specialist roles.
Opportunities as a sourcing specialist and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Supply Chain Management degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your ERP software proficiency or supply chain management.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. 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 were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, 2017 - 2020
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a sourcing specialist role. Skills such as supply chain management or communication skills are particularly useful for sourcing specialist jobs. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as a sourcing specialist.
Highlighting your hard skills
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for sourcing specialist jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your sourcing specialist job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the sourcing specialist role. 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.
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 sourcing specialist resume, see below.
- Supply chain management
- Strategic sourcing techniques
- Vendor relationship management
Adding soft skills to your sourcing specialist 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. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of 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 sourcing specialist resume, see below.
- Communication skills
- Relationship management
- Problem-solving ability
Certifications
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a sourcing specialist. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. 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.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a sourcing specialist resume:
- CPSM Certification, 2022
- CSCP Certification, 2022
- CPP Certification, 2022
Hear from experts:
Optional Information
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a sourcing specialist resume. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Hobbies and Interests
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. 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 sourcing specialist experience. 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.
Voluntary Work
This section can be valuable for a sourcing specialist resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. 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 sourcing specialist 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.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best action words for your sourcing specialist resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Analyze
- Negotiate
- Strategize
- Coordinate
- Evaluate
- Implement
- Manage
- Procure
- Optimize
- Streamline
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Example resume for sourcing specialist applications
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your sourcing specialist resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
0001 Cemetery Lane, New York, NY
•
douglas.ross@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/douglas–ross123
Dedicated and results-oriented Sourcing Specialist with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management. Proven track record as a Procurement Specialist, adept at negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and optimizing procurement processes to drive cost savings and efficiency. Strong analytical skills and a strategic mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence
Procurement Specialist
2020
-2022
SupplyChain Solutions Inc (Bakersfield)
- Negotiated supplier contracts, reducing costs by 15% annually and improving terms for quality and delivery timelines
- Implemented e-procurement system, increasing efficiency by 30% and reducing procurement cycle time by 25%
- Developed strategic sourcing initiatives, achieving $500K in annual savings and enhancing supplier performance metrics by 20%
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Supply Chain Management
2017
-2020
Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO)
Supply chain management
Strategic sourcing techniques
Vendor relationship management
Communication skills
Relationship management
Problem-solving ability
CPSM Certification
CSCP Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for sourcing specialist resumes
Advice to help you craft a winning resume
- Quantify your achievements and show evidence of how you've used your skills to bring positive outcomes in your career to date.
- Review your resume thoroughly and correct any errors before sending it, to avoid unnecessary harm to your chances.
- Adapt your resume for every job application for maximum impact. Review the job description to understand the specific requirements for the role.
- 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.
- Use strong action words to demonstrate the impact you've made in each sourcing specialist role (e.g. 'coordinate', 'evaluate', 'implement').
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, create a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't use jargon or acronyms when you can use simple, straightforward language to say the same thing.
- Don't use old contact information and always review your resume header to make sure it contains the latest information.
- 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 use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. If you follow a few simple tips when writing your sourcing specialist 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:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- 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 clean, unfussy design that gives your content enough white space to breathe. Use professional, readable fonts and subtle use of color and other design elements.
- 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.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions for a sourcing specialist resume
As well as writing a professional sourcing specialist resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
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 sourcing specialist 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.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
Even if you have little or no relevant work experience, it's still possible to write a sourcing specialist resume that makes a strong impression on employers. Select a resume format that emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience, such as a functional format. 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.
A resume headline can catch the attention of the reader and give them a strong first impression about your suitability for sourcing specialist jobs. 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 short, snappy heading for your resume including the job title and a reference to your experience, your track record or one or two of your key skills.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Entry-Level Sourcing Specialist Enthusiast
- Expert Sourcing and Procurement Specialist
- Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist Expert
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're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Key takeaways for your sourcing specialist resume
Writing a strong, impactful resume is about using your experience to demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements. You can do this through your work history or other resume sections. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. Whether you're a junior or senior candidate, a professional cover letter can help to grab the attention of the employer. Jobseeker's cover letter examples were created by careers experts to provide useful tips and ideas for your cover letter.
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/
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