Graduate Procurement Assistant CV Template Example
As someone who has worked with graduates and professionals for over 25 years, I know how crucial the Graduate Procurement Assistant role is for building a strong career foundation in supply chain and purchasing. This position typically involves supporting procurement managers in sourcing suppliers, negotiating contracts, managing purchase orders, and ensuring goods and services are delivered on time and within budget. The salary for a Graduate Procurement Assistant in the UK usually ranges between £23,000 to £28,000 per year, with clear progression opportunities into Procurement Officer, Procurement Manager, and even Head of Procurement positions over time. It’s an exciting, dynamic career path that suits organised, detail-oriented individuals who enjoy a mix of analysis, negotiation, and relationship building.
Why your CV is your most powerful tool
Your CV is not just a piece of paper – it’s your professional shop window. Recruiters and hiring managers often spend less than 10 seconds scanning each CV, so your Graduate Procurement Assistant CV needs to grab attention fast. It should highlight your education, transferable skills, and any relevant experience that demonstrates your ability to contribute to procurement success. With the right structure and keywords, your CV can pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and land you directly in front of decision-makers.
What recruiters look for in a Graduate Procurement Assistant CV
Recruiters in procurement look for evidence that you:
Understand supply chain and purchasing principles
Have strong analytical and numerical skills
Can manage suppliers and relationships professionally
Are comfortable with procurement systems (ERP/SAP experience is a bonus)
Can demonstrate negotiation and problem-solving skills
Possess excellent communication and organisational abilities
Your CV must reflect these qualities clearly. Graduates may not always have direct procurement experience, but you can emphasise transferable skills gained through university projects, internships, part-time jobs, or volunteering.
How to structure your Graduate Procurement Assistant CV
To ensure your CV is ATS-friendly and recruiter-ready, follow this simple structure:
Contact Details – Full name, phone, email, LinkedIn link. Avoid unnecessary details like marital status or date of birth.
Personal Profile / CV Summary – A powerful 4–6 line introduction highlighting your key strengths, enthusiasm for procurement, and career aspirations.
Key Skills – A bullet-point section including Procurement, Supplier Relationship Management, Contract Administration, Negotiation, Data Analysis, SAP/ERP Systems, Microsoft Excel, Time Management.
Education – Degree details (e.g. BA Business Management, MSc Supply Chain, or related). Include relevant modules such as Logistics, Purchasing, or Business Analytics.
Work Experience – Start with internships, placements, or relevant part-time roles. Emphasise responsibilities like analysing supplier performance, preparing reports, processing purchase orders, or supporting procurement teams.
Achievements – Demonstrate measurable impact, e.g. “Assisted in negotiating supplier contracts that reduced costs by 8%.”
Additional Information – Languages, IT skills, memberships (e.g. CIPS), or voluntary work.
Example of a CV Profile for a Graduate Procurement Assistant
“A highly motivated and analytical Graduate with a strong academic background in Business and Supply Chain Management, seeking to build a career in procurement. Skilled in supplier relationship management, data analysis, and contract administration, with proven ability to support purchasing teams in achieving cost savings and operational efficiency. Adept at using Microsoft Excel and ERP systems to track performance, with excellent communication and negotiation skills. Looking to contribute fresh ideas and strong organisational skills to a forward-thinking procurement team.”
Highlighting transferable skills when you lack experience
Many graduates worry about having limited procurement-specific experience. This is where transferable skills come in. For example:
Retail or hospitality jobs demonstrate negotiation, customer service, and organisation.
University group projects highlight teamwork, analysis, and presentation skills.
Internships show adaptability and exposure to professional environments.
Volunteering demonstrates initiative and commitment.
Frame each experience in terms of results and achievements. Instead of saying “Worked part-time in a supermarket,” you could say, “Developed supplier communication and stock control skills while ensuring timely product availability, improving sales by supporting smooth operations.”
Optimising your CV for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)
Recruiters often use ATS to scan CVs for keywords. To ensure your Graduate Procurement Assistant CV ranks highly, include keywords such as:
Procurement
Supplier Management
Contract Negotiation
Cost Reduction
Supply Chain
ERP / SAP
Purchase Orders
Stakeholder Engagement
Compliance
Data Analysis
Don’t just list these keywords—integrate them naturally into your achievements and responsibilities.
Advice for graduates
If you’re fresh out of university, keep your CV concise (1 page is fine). Focus on your academic achievements, relevant coursework, and any internships or part-time work. Employers understand you’re at the start of your journey, so showing passion, drive, and transferable skills is often more important than direct procurement experience.
Advice for middle management candidates
If you already have a few years’ procurement experience, your CV should highlight specific achievements. Show how you’ve saved money, improved supplier performance, or introduced process improvements. Evidence-based statements, such as “Reduced procurement cycle times by 15% through process automation,” carry far more weight than vague descriptions.
Advice for senior management candidates
At senior level, your CV must focus on leadership, strategy, and impact. Rather than listing tasks, showcase achievements such as, “Directed procurement strategy for £50m annual spend, delivering cost savings of 12% year-on-year.” Highlight stakeholder influence, governance, risk management, and high-level negotiations. Senior recruiters want to see the bigger picture of how you’ve driven organisational success.
The do’s and don’ts of a Graduate Procurement Assistant CV
Do:
Keep formatting clean and professional
Use bullet points for readability
Tailor your CV for each application
Quantify achievements wherever possible
Keep it honest and authentic
Don’t:
Use over-complicated layouts that confuse ATS
Write in paragraphs too long to skim
Include irrelevant details (hobbies, unless they add value)
Use clichés like “hardworking” without evidence
Submit the same generic CV to every job
Final general tips to make your CV shine
Always include a strong LinkedIn profile that matches your CV.
Proofread thoroughly—spelling mistakes are a recruiter’s pet hate.
Keep your CV to 2 pages max (1 for graduates).
Use action verbs like “Negotiated,” “Delivered,” “Analysed,” “Implemented.”
Showcase results, not just responsibilities.
Tailor your CV to the company’s values and role requirements.
Conclusion and professional invitation
Crafting an interview-winning Graduate Procurement Assistant CV is about presenting your skills, education, and passion in the most compelling way possible. Whether you’re a graduate just entering the job market or a senior manager looking for the next step, your CV is your passport to success.
I’ve personally helped thousands of graduates, managers, and executives in the UK transform their CVs and LinkedIn profiles to secure dream roles in procurement, supply chain, and beyond. Don’t leave your career to chance—give yourself the professional edge today.
Book a one-to-one session with me, Jerry Frempong, and let’s create a CV and LinkedIn profile that truly reflects your strengths and helps you stand out from the competition.
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