Dezeen Jobs

Surface Matter is hiring a junior specification sales assistant to join its team in London.

About us

Materials. Expertise. Takeback.

Surface Matter help designers and architects use surfaces to their full potential. As a Certified B Corp, we supply architectural surfaces to joiners, fabricators and makers building high-end, sustainable interiors, skate parks, guitars and food service equipment. We help our clients plan ahead so reuse and recycling are easy when the time comes, with our partner company Material Rescue to take back, reuse and repurpose materials to keep them in circulation.

The role

We work with great people who take pride in their work and want to create positive impact. We are looking for someone to join our sales team as a junior specification sales assistant.

Working from our inspiring studio space in the heart of London’s design district at Barbican and Clerkenwell, you’ll become a trusted material expert, sharing samples, case studies and quotations, and helping architects and makers find the right material for their projects.

Shadowing and learning from our sales team, you’ll work on design-led projects, building your solution-selling, presentation, communication and relationship-building skills to promote innovative materials.

Working across commercial and residential design projects, delivering a standout experience at every touchpoint. As you grow and develop, you’ll work on larger and more complex architecture projects.

Day to day you’ll:

• turn enquiries into opportunities. Qualify potential, understand project needs, and following up with energy and action
• guide clients and set expectations for material characteristics, pricing, fabrication and lead times
• manage orders from enquiry to quotation, delivery and aftercare – with accurate details, clear communication and proactive follow ups to move projects from specification to completion
• checking in on finished projects that feeds into our case studies and content
• identify valuable relationships and nurturing them to build long-term opportunities – turning introductions and enquiries into meaningful conversations
• spot issues early and suggesting solutions or escalating before they become problems
• champion circular thinking. Helping clients make better material choices and championing Material Rescue

You’ll also get involved in studio life: helping run organise and run events and presentations, keeping the space organised and full of energy for visitors, organising samples and building your network across industry events. building your network, attending industry events.

Who we’re looking for:

• curious, creative, and full of energy – you bring fresh ideas, and look for the next opportunity
• confident & friendly – you connect easily, listen and can lead meaningful conversations
• a natural multitasker and self-starter – thriving on variety and taking ownership without losing momentum
• collaborative and solutions-focused – bringing people together, tackling challenges and making things happen
• you may not know much about surfaces or materials, but you love design and making and want to know how things are made and what they can do

What we can offer:

• £27,000 – 30,000 salary, plus bonus linked to KPIs
• full time (35 hours), permanent position
• 22 + 8 days annual leave, rising to 30 + 8 with length of service, plus your birthday off and 2 low-carbon travel days
• Private health/dental/optical insurance, group life insurance
• Living Pension contribution
• Cyclescheme, techscheme, gym discounts
• Enhanced maternity/paternity leave,
• 27 hours paid volunteering
• professional development reviews and ongoing training
• air-conditioned studio with sit-stand desks, fresh fruit and refreshments; plus regular team events

Get in touch

We’re all about people and have high standards on the kinds of people we work with, and how we treat them in return.

We want everyone in our team to feel good and grow with us – regardless of race, religion, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability or social, financial, cultural or educational background. Joining our small team in a varied and evolving role means there are always interesting projects to get involved in to help move us forward and achieve your goals.

If this sounds like the place for you send us your CV/Experience with a note about why you think you’d make a great fit – your journey, the skills you’re looking to grow and why you like the idea of working with us.

www.surfacematter.co.uk