For team leaders, career changers, and early-stage professionals in supply chain, logistics, and commercial roles
Whether you’re stepping up or switching industries, here’s how to build a CV that reflects your potential – and gets you noticed.
You’re ready for a move. Maybe you’re already leading a team and want that next step up. Maybe you’ve been working in another industry and want to break into supply chain, logistics, or a commercial operations role. You’ve got experience – you want the next step.
We get it. We’ve placed thousands of candidates like you – people with the right attitude, transferable skills, and growing leadership potential. This guide is about making your CV reflect that, clearly and confidently, in a way that resonates with hiring managers in this sector.
Early-career CVs are often less about history, and more about trajectory. Hiring managers aren’t expecting years of supply chain strategy - but they are looking for signs that you understand how to contribute to a fast-moving, results-led environment.
They’re also trying to read between the lines:
A strong CV helps them say “yes” to those questions - fast.
1. Personal Statement
Your personal statement is your professional “hook.” Avoid vague ambitions or overused phrases, focus on clarity and intent. This isn’t about fluff, it’s about positioning.
Example 1:
Team-focused shift leader with experience in high-volume warehouse operations. Known for hitting KPIs, solving problems under pressure, and building engaged teams. Now ready to step into an operations or planning role with more scope.
Example 2:
Detail-driven team lead transitioning from retail operations to logistics. Skilled in managing people, processes, and peak-period challenges. Looking to bring commercial awareness and hands-on leadership into a supply chain environment.
2. Core Skills / Competencies
This section helps your reader quickly understand what you can do - especially if your job titles don’t tell the full story. Think about tools, environments, and outcomes you’re familiar with.
Examples to include (pick and tailor based on role):
3. Work Experience
Even if your past roles weren’t in “supply chain,” you likely used relevant skills: managing processes, solving problems, improving efficiency, leading others.
Example 1:
Warehouse Team Leader
Regional Distribution Centre | 2021–Present
Example 2:
Operations Support Supervisor
B2B Distribution, Midlands | 2019–2021
4. Education & Training
Formal education still matters, but so does ongoing learning. Include any courses or internal training that show you’re engaged and developing.
5. Certifications or Licences (if relevant)
Think beyond the office: FLT licences, First Aid, transport certifications - anything that shows you’re qualified, compliant, and ready.
Generic CVs that aren’t tailored
Every CV should match the job you’re applying for - in tone, keywords, and priorities.
Weak or wordy personal statements
If your opener could apply to 90% of candidates, rewrite it. It needs to be specific to your journey and ambition.
Overloading with job duties
We care what you achieved, not just what you were expected to do.
Unclear formatting or presentation
If we can’t skim and “get it” in 15 seconds, it needs work. Think structure, clarity, hierarchy.
Tailoring doesn’t mean rewriting everything - it means knowing what to emphasise based on the job description.
Look at the job ad:
Then shape your CV around those. Rearrange skills, rephrase your personal statement, highlight relevant projects. This shows attention to detail - a must in supply chain and commercial environments.
Example 1:
If the role is about process improvement, highlight where you’ve optimised a workflow - even if it wasn’t called that in your old job.
Example 2:
If the job ad mentions customer collaboration or internal stakeholder management, highlight any time you’ve coordinated across teams, smoothed out issues, or helped turn around a delayed process - even if you weren’t in a client-facing role.
Visual first impressions matter - especially in sectors where precision and clarity are key. Your layout should reflect that.
Avoid colours, headshots, or overly stylised layouts - this isn’t advertising. It’s professional storytelling.
At this stage in your career, a great CV isn’t about ticking every box – it’s about positioning your experience with confidence and clarity. The right CV gets you through the door. But more than that, it sets the tone for how seriously you’re taken as a candidate.
