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Purchasing internship skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical purchasing internship skills. We ranked the top skills for purchasing interns based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 20.6% of purchasing internship resumes contained purchase orders as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a purchasing internship needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 purchasing internship skills for your resume and career

1. Purchase Orders

Here's how purchasing interns use purchase orders:

Filled out purchase orders in computer using MFG Pro Called in/faxed/emailed purchase orders Filed paperwork/purchase orders Interfaced with suppliers via telephone
Monitored inventory levels, adjusted purchase orders and receiving paperwork for accuracy, through Clark's data-management system.

2. Logistics

Logistics is a complete organization and implementation of a problem. Logistics are often considered in a complex business operation, as some works need detailed plannings. Logistics are also used in military action.

Here's how purchasing interns use logistics:

Communicated and organized inventory logistics and completed invoices with a number of different suppliers.
Facilitated logistics and delivery of inventory to key accounts.

3. Cost Savings

Here's how purchasing interns use cost savings:

Managed buyer cost saving initiatives and generated reports in Insight database to facilitate cost savings analysis.
Analyzed and researched global markets and identified cost savings and recommended purchasing plan for 10 countries and for over 60 products.

4. Supplier Quality

Here's how purchasing interns use supplier quality:

Coordinated and implemented, electronically generated supplier quality reports that are still in use.

5. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how purchasing interns use data entry:

Entered invoices into Excel and Handled data entry Responded to clients via email and telephone while providing excellent customer service
Matched reference numbers to current data through physical count and adjusting data Data entry and filing

6. Supplier Performance

Supplier performance refers to practices aimed at optimizing a supplier's performance and capabilities.

Here's how purchasing interns use supplier performance:

Managed monthly supplier performance scorecard process and Supplier Corrective & Preventive Actions using 8D Problem solving methodology.
Implemented Just-In-Time delivery process and Supplier Performance Rating with multiple vendors.

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7. RFQ

A request for quotation (RFQ) is a document that a corporation submits to one or more potential suppliers obtaining quotations for a service or product. Typically, an RFQ seeks a detailed list of prices for something that is measurable like hardware and it involves more than the price per item. RFQ, call for bids and invitation for bid generally mean the same thing.

Here's how purchasing interns use rfq:

Interacted with suppliers in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) and Request for Information (RFI) process.
Created Requests for Quotes (RFQ's) and then analyzed them to provided feedback to team.

8. Data Collection

Data collection means to analyze and collect all the necessary information. It helps in carrying out research and in storing important and necessary information. The most important goal of data collection is to gather the information that is rich and accurate for statistical analysis.

Here's how purchasing interns use data collection:

Assisted with data collection for a new Worker Classification Program policy.

9. Cost Reduction

Here's how purchasing interns use cost reduction:

Assisted with the analysis of plans for cost reduction recommendations and research cost of proposed design ideas.
Achieved $1.3M cost reduction of $8M procurement by leveraging purchasing power of multiple countries

10. ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is computer software used by major corporations and organizations for conducting their management and accounting tasks efficiently. ERP systems bind different business processes with each other allowing smoother flow of data between them resulting in swift project assessment and completion.

Here's how purchasing interns use erp:

Developed relationships with suppliers and held the responsibility of inputting orders into an integrated ERP system.
Conduct inventory control including ordering, all aspects of receiving, and ensuring accurate account reporting and transactions in ERP.

11. Data Analysis

Here's how purchasing interns use data analysis:

Researched product data and conducted data analysis to benefit sales.
Performed data analysis, reporting, and financial planning during the negotiation process with different suppliers.

12. Strategic Sourcing

Here's how purchasing interns use strategic sourcing:

Implemented fastener strategic sourcing by reducing suppliers and consolidating volumes to achieve price reduction targets.
Strengthened the Strategic Sourcing Department by analyzing company wide data focusing on materials linked to sourcing initiatives and usage.

13. Supplier Selection

Here's how purchasing interns use supplier selection:

Analyzed specifications and engineering drawings, investigated vendors, studied costs and prices, analyzed bids, negotiating and supplier selection.
Researched "should-costs" models, alternative supplier selection and material data for assistance in strategic supplier negotiations.

14. Global Sourcing

Here's how purchasing interns use global sourcing:

Assisted with supplier diversity/global sourcing projects, conducted presentations and participated in internal and external activities.
Implement regional, int l and global sourcing initiatives locally and participates on local sourcing teams focused on improvements in AQSCI.

15. ISO

Here's how purchasing interns use iso:

Prepared all of Purchasing's Work Orders and other files in preparation of ISO Audit.
Monitored the quality of supplier's lead time, PPM, and ISO certifications.

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List of purchasing internship skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a purchasing internship resume and required skills for a purchasing internship to have include:

Purchase Orders
Logistics
Cost Savings
Supplier Quality
Data Entry
Supplier Performance
RFQ
Data Collection
Cost Reduction
ERP
Data Analysis
Strategic Sourcing
Supplier Selection
Global Sourcing
ISO

MRO
Delivery Dates
Process Improvement
Market Research
KPI
Spend Analysis
SharePoint
MRP
Cost Analysis
POS
RFP
On-Time Delivery
BOM
Payment Terms
Product Quality

Inventory Control
Inventory Management
Global Supplier
Market Analysis
RAN
Sales Orders
Sigma
NAFTA
PPAP
AS400
Inventory System
Contract Negotiations
Price Analysis
Cycle Counts
PeopleSoft

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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