Tips for Writing a Standout Roofing Foreman Resume
When building your resume, think of it as a job site: it needs to be well-organized, structured, and solid from the ground up. Here’s how to make sure it’s professional and gets noticed.
1. Start With a Strong Summary
Your summary is the first thing a hiring manager will read, so it should quickly capture who you are and what you bring to the table. Keep it short (three to four sentences) but powerful. Highlight your years of experience, areas of expertise (commercial, residential, or industrial roofing), and measurable achievements.
Example Summary:
“Seasoned Roofing Foreman with over 10 years of experience managing residential and commercial roofing projects. Skilled in supervising crews of up to 25 workers, ensuring OSHA compliance, and maintaining quality workmanship."
Tip: Skip vague statements like “hard worker” or “team player.” Instead, show your value through real results: Percentages, numbers, or project outcomes.
2. Highlight Your Professional Experience
List your most recent roles first and include your job title, company name, location, and dates of employment. Under each role, use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and measurable accomplishments.
Instead of saying, “Managed roofing crews,” say:
3. Include an Education and Certifications Section
Even though roofing is a hands-on trade, credentials and certifications carry weight. Start with your highest level of education, then list relevant certifications and safety training.
Example:High School Diploma – Lincoln High School, Dallas, TX – Graduated: 2010
OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Certification – 2021
Certified Roofing Foreman – National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) – 2020
Tip: Include certifications in fall protection, project supervision, or roofing systems installation. These can help set you apart.
4. Add a Section for Project or Leadership Experience
Employers love foremen who can handle complex projects and lead teams effectively. Include a short section titled Project Leadership or Major Projects Managed to showcase specific achievements.
Example Project Entry:- Oversaw installation of 300,000 sq. ft. of commercial roofing across five properties, completed two weeks ahead of schedule.
- Directed full roof replacement on a historic courthouse building, coordinating with engineers and preservation specialists.
- Introduced a materials-tracking system that cut supply shortages by 25% and improved site efficiency.
Tip: Whenever possible, quantify your results to make your contributions tangible.
5. List Your Technical and Leadership Skills Clearly
A dedicated Skills section helps recruiters quickly identify your expertise. Divide your list into two groups: Technical/Operational Skills and Leadership/Soft Skills.
Technical/Operational Skills:
- Roof installation and repair (TPO, EPDM, shingles, metal, tile)
- Blueprint and schematic reading
- Site inspection and quality control
- OSHA and safety compliance
- Equipment operation and maintenance
- Scheduling and resource allocation
- Material estimation and cost control
Leadership/Soft Skills:
- Team supervision and training
- Project management
- Problem-solving under pressure
- Communication with clients
- Workflow optimization
- Conflict resolution
6. Keep the Format Clean and Professional
Your resume should look as professional as your best-finished roof. Use a clear, easy-to-read font like Arial or Calibri (10–12 pt). Headings should be bold and consistent. Use bullet points instead of dense paragraphs to make it easier to scan.
If you’ve been in the roofing industry for a while, a two-page resume is fine. If you’re earlier in your career, one page will do.
7. Add Optional Sections for Extra Impact
Optional sections can help your resume stand out and showcase your dedication to the trade.
8. Tailor Your Resume for Each Role
Before submitting your resume, tweak your resume for the position you’re targeting. If a job ad emphasizes “commercial flat roofing,” highlight your experience in TPO or EPDM systems. If it mentions “team leadership and scheduling,” bring those buzzwords to the top.
9. Bonus: List Emerging Roofing Technologies
Roofing is evolving fast, and foremen familiar with modern systems stand out.
In-demand roofing systems for 2025:
- TPO and PVC membranes: energy-efficient and weather-resistant
- Solar-integrated roofing systems: sustainable roofing gaining popularity
- Green or vegetative roofs: increasingly used for eco-friendly buildings
- Cool roofs: reflect sunlight to reduce energy costs
Example:
“Supervised installation of energy-efficient TPO systems across 50,000 sq. ft. of commercial property.”
Roofing Foreman Resume Examples
Example 1: Experienced Roofing Foreman – Commercial Projects
Name: James Carter
Phone: (555) 987-1234
Email: james.carter.roof@example.com
Location: Houston, TX
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/james-carter-roofing
Professional Summary:
Experienced Roofing Foreman with 12 years of expertise in large-scale commercial and residential roofing. Proven ability to manage crews of up to 30 workers, oversee project budgets exceeding $1.2M, and maintain strict quality and safety standards.
Professional Experience:
Roofing Foreman | Skyline Roofing Contractors | Houston, TX | Jan 2018 – Present
- Managed 10–12 ongoing projects monthly, ensuring timely completion and client satisfaction.
- Directed roof installations on schools, warehouses, and office complexes using TPO, EPDM, and metal systems.
- Led weekly safety meetings; achieved zero lost-time incidents for 3 consecutive years.
Roofing Supervisor | Elite Roof Works | Dallas, TX | Mar 2014 – Dec 2017
- Oversaw residential roofing projects from planning to inspection.
- Streamlined roofing material procurement and reduced project delays by 25%.
- Coordinated with inspectors and clients to ensure compliance with all building codes.
Education:
High School Diploma – North Dallas High, 2009
OSHA 30-Hour Construction Certification – 2021
Certified Roofing Foreman (NRCA) – 2020
Skills:
Roof installation | Team leadership | Safety compliance | Cost estimation | Crew scheduling | TPO/EPDM systems | Client communication
Example 2: Early-Career Roofing Foreman with Hands-On Expertise
Name: Michael Lopez
Phone: (555) 654-9870
Email: michael.lopez.roof@example.com
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Summary:
Skilled Roofing Foreman with 3 years of leadership experience and 8 years in the roofing trade. Skilled in leading roofing projects, quality control, and material handling. Known for keeping projects on schedule and ensuring every roof meets or exceeds client expectations.
Experience:
Roofing Foreman | SunPro Roofing | Phoenix, AZ | Jun 2021 – Present
- Led installation and repair projects for residential and small commercial buildings.
- Managed daily crew operations, equipment inspections, and job site safety.
- Reduced rework rates by 15% through improved quality checks.
Roofing Technician | Desert Roofing Co. | Phoenix, AZ | Apr 2016 – May 2021
- Installed and repaired roofs using asphalt shingles, tile, and metal systems.
- Assisted foremen with estimating, scheduling, and training new hires.
Education:
Roofing Foreman Training Program – NRCA, 2020
OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Certification – 2019
Skills:
Roof inspection | Crew management | Material estimation | Customer communication | Safety compliance | TPO and shingle systems
Commercial vs Residential Roofing: Tailor Your Resume to the Project Type
Each roofing sector values different strengths.
1. Commercial Roofing
Highlight large-scale project management, safety compliance, and material coordination. Mention experience with TPO, EPDM, or PVC systems and managing crews on big sites.
2. Residential Roofing
Focus on quality craftsmanship, fast turnaround, and customer satisfaction. Showcase your ability to communicate with homeowners, handle inspections, and deliver detailed work.
Example:
If a listing mentions commercial roofing, prioritize phrases like “TPO installation,” “crew supervision,” and “budget control.” Tailoring your wording to match the project type instantly shows you understand what the employer values.
Keywords to Include in Your Roofing Foreman Resume (for ATS Optimization)
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are widely used in construction hiring. To pass through automated filters, use industry-specific keywords naturally throughout your resume.
Recommended Keywords:
- Roofing installation and repair
- Safety compliance (OSHA)
- Managing roofing projects
- Crew management
- Material estimation and budgeting
- Roof inspection
- Quality control
- Scheduling and coordination
- Timely project completion
- Preventive maintenance
Tips for ATS Optimization
- Use exact keywords from the job ad (e.g., “EPDM,” “roof inspections,” “project coordination”).
- Avoid text boxes and graphics, because ATS can’t read them.
- Repeat your top keywords naturally in the summary, experience, and skills sections.
- Save your resume as a PDF unless the job posting says otherwise.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on a Roofer Resume
Even experienced professionals can slip up. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Using generic job descriptions instead of measurable achievements.
- Ignoring quantifiable results like reduced costs or improved safety records.
- Overloading your resume with too much technical jargon.
- Using inconsistent formatting or hard-to-read designs.
- Sending the same resume for every job without tailoring it.
Your Final Roofing Foreman Resume Checklist
Before sending your resume, review it with this final checklist:
- Strong, results-focused summary
- Measurable achievements in your work history
- Relevant certifications (OSHA, NRCA, etc.)
- Clear separation of technical and leadership skills
- Keywords naturally matching the job description
- Consistent, professional formatting and font
- Saved as a PDF and checked for typos
A clean, accurate, and tailored resume shows employers you’re serious about your craft and leadership.
Final Thoughts
Your roofing foreman resume should showcase more than just your technical skills, it should prove your leadership, organization, and commitment to safety and quality. Keep it clear, professional, and results-driven. Use specific examples, include measurable outcomes, and tailor your document to each role. With the right approach, your resume will reflect not just what you’ve built, but how well you’ve led others to build it.
