Zero Surplus

5 job(s) at Zero Surplus

Zero Surplus Hertford, Hertfordshire
Jan 07, 2026
Full time
Are you organised, reliable and ready to take your first step into an office-based career? We're looking for an Administrator to join a busy professional services team and help keep the office running smoothly day to day. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a positive attitude who wants to learn, gain hands-on experience, and build strong administrative skills in a supportive environment. Full training is provided, so no previous office experience is required. What you'll be doing As a key part of the operations team, you'll be involved in a wide range of administrative and office support tasks, including: Handling incoming and outgoing post, making sure important documents reach the right people Preparing mail for dispatch and visiting the Post Office when needed Supporting the team with scanning, printing, photocopying and document preparation Updating and managing tasks on internal systems (with guidance) Helping keep the office organised, tidy and running efficiently Providing general admin support to colleagues across different teams You'll learn how a professional office operates behind the scenes and play an important role in keeping everything on track. Essential skills and attributes: Good attention to detail Basic IT skills (email, scanning, printing, data entry) Organised, punctual and reliable Comfortable following instructions and set processes Friendly, professional and polite manner An interest in working in a legal or professional services environment Enjoys working as part of a team This is an office-based opportunity and due to the location of the Hertford-based office, this role is commutable from Ware, Buntingford, Welwyn Garden City, Puckeridge, Sawbridgeworth, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, Stevenage, Knebworth and Bishops Stortford. Zero Surplus is one of the UK's premier recruitment agencies, based just outside Cambridge our recruiters source staff for small and international businesses across Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Northants, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, and the South of England. For registration purposes, please let us know where you are currently based or which locations you are considering as well as your required salary and notice period. Please upload a Microsoft Word version of your CV where possible, excluding text boxes or images. Any data we collect from you will be stored and processed in accordance with Zero Surplus' Privacy Policy.
Zero Surplus Saffron Walden, Essex
Jan 07, 2026
Full time
Office based in Saffron Walden. We're working with a high-growth AI technology company in the Greater Cambridge area who are seeking a Procurement Specialist to join their expanding operations team. This is a hands-on role offering the opportunity to support a rapidly scaling business by managing sourcing, purchasing, and supplier relationships across a diverse range of technical and operational categories. In this position, you'll take ownership of the full procurement lifecycle - from sourcing suppliers and obtaining quotations through to negotiating terms, raising purchase orders, and tracking deliveries. You'll work with vendors supplying everything from electronic components, optics, mechanical parts, and test equipment to general business services and consumables. You'll also monitor stock levels, manage replenishment of critical items, and ensure purchasing records and approvals are accurate and compliant. Building strong relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers will be central to your success. You'll evaluate vendor performance, reliability, lead times, and pricing, and support negotiations around contracts, service level agreements, and commercial terms. Working closely with engineering and operations teams, you'll help clarify technical requirements and delivery timelines, ensuring parts and equipment arrive when needed to support ongoing R&D and production activity. The role will also involve coordinating logistics, deliveries, and shipping documentation, including international movements where required. You'll support warehouse, stores, or R&D environments with the timely supply of components and tools, while maintaining accurate inventories and asset records. As the business continues to grow, you'll play a key role in developing and improving procurement processes, workflows, and governance frameworks, working alongside Finance to support cost control, budgeting, and forecasting activities while ensuring all purchasing meets regulatory, export control, and defence-related compliance standards. We're looking for someone with proven experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain roles, ideally gained within engineering, manufacturing, electronics, or technology environments. You should be confident negotiating pricing and commercial terms, highly organised with strong attention to detail, and comfortable managing multiple suppliers, quotations, and orders at the same time. The ability to interpret technical specifications or work closely with engineers to clarify component requirements is essential, as is a solid understanding of procurement systems, purchase order workflows, invoicing processes, and inventory management. Strong communication skills, relationship-building ability, and a proactive, problem-solving mindset are key to success in this role. Experience within defence, aerospace, robotics, electronics manufacturing, or hardware-focused technology companies would be advantageous, as would any knowledge of export controls, restricted materials handling, or ITAR/EAR frameworks. Familiarity with engineering components such as PCBs, RF parts, optics, sensors, cables, or mechanical assemblies would be beneficial, alongside experience using ERP or MRP platforms and an understanding of logistics or international shipping procedures. CIPS certification, or progression toward it, would be welcomed but is not essential. This is an onsite role based in Saffron Walden , working five days per week within a fast-paced environment supporting engineering, R&D, and operations teams. The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to help build robust procurement processes from the ground up within a scaling, cutting-edge AI and defence technology business. If you're a motivated procurement professional looking for a varied and impactful role where you can take real ownership and grow alongside an ambitious technology company, we'd love to hear from you. Zero Surplus is one of the UK's premier recruitment agencies, based just outside Cambridge our recruiters source staff for small and international businesses across Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Northants, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, and the rest of the UK. For registration purposes, please let us know where you are currently based or which locations you are considering as well as your required salary and notice period. Please upload a Microsoft Word version of your CV where possible, excluding text boxes or images. Any data we collect from you will be stored and processed in accordance with Zero Surplus' Privacy Policy.
Zero Surplus Saffron Walden, Essex
Jan 07, 2026
Full time
We are working with a high-growth AI technology company in the Greater Cambridge area who are seeking a reliable and hands-on Office Facilities & Maintenance Assistant to support the smooth day-to-day running of their office environment. This is a varied and practical position, ideal for someone early in their career looking to build experience in facilities and operations, or for a semi-retired professional who enjoys a busy, active role helping to keep a workplace running efficiently as the business continues to scale. In this role, you will be responsible for carrying out minor office repairs and maintenance tasks, such as changing light bulbs, undertaking basic plumbing fixes, adjusting furniture, and monitoring the general condition of the building. You will conduct regular checks on office infrastructure including heating, cooling, and plumbing systems, reporting any major issues to contractors and coordinating repairs where needed. You'll also manage office supplies, ensuring stock levels are maintained, oversee waste and recycling processes, liaise with cleaning contractors, and help keep the workspace safe, clean, and well organised. Health and safety will form an important part of the role. You will support basic compliance activities, assist with risk assessments, help monitor fire safety procedures and equipment, and act as a first point of contact for any safety or maintenance concerns raised by the team. Vendor coordination is another key responsibility, including contacting suppliers and service providers, obtaining quotes, scheduling visits, keeping service agreements up to date, and ensuring related documentation and invoices are processed correctly. You will also support the logistical side of office operations, receiving and organising deliveries of equipment and supplies, preparing meeting rooms and communal areas for events, assisting with office moves or layout changes, and setting up workspaces and equipment for new starters. Occasional local errands such as supply collection or equipment drop-offs will form part of the role, alongside supporting the upkeep of company vehicles including servicing, insurance administration, and basic checks. This role would suit someone with a practical, hands-on approach who is comfortable working independently and proactively. Previous experience in facilities or maintenance is helpful but not essential, as training will be provided. Strong organisational skills, basic DIY capability, good communication skills for working with colleagues and suppliers, and a full UK driving licence are essential. You should also be comfortable with a varied and sometimes physically active role. Experience in facilities management, health and safety compliance, building systems, or fast-paced working environments would be advantageous, as would basic IT skills and the ability to manage simple budgets or administrative tasks. Any relevant facilities or health and safety training would also be beneficial. This is a full-time, office-based role in Saffron Walden, working five days per week within a growing operations team. As the company expands, the position may evolve, offering opportunities for increased responsibility over time. A competitive salary is available, dependent on experience. If you enjoy a practical, people-focused role where no two days are the same and where your support makes a real difference to a growing business, we would love to hear from you. Zero Surplus is one of the UK's premier recruitment agencies, based just outside Cambridge our recruiters source staff for small and international businesses across Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Northants, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, and the rest of the UK. For registration purposes, please let us know where you are currently based or which locations you are considering as well as your required salary and notice period. Please upload a Microsoft Word version of your CV where possible, excluding text boxes or images. Any data we collect from you will be stored and processed in accordance with Zero Surplus' Privacy Policy.
Zero Surplus Saffron Walden, Essex
Jan 07, 2026
Full time
Personal Assistant to Founder (Full-Time, Office-Based) Location: Saffron Walden, Essex Salary: 60,000 - 80,000 (dependent on experience) Employment Type: Full-time, permanent We are recruiting for a fast-growing, high-technology UK company operating in a defence-critical sector, seeking an exceptional Personal Assistant to support our Founder and Managing Director. Due to the sensitive nature of our work, this position is fully office-based in Saffron Walden, five days per week. This is a trusted, high-impact role at the centre of an ambitious, scaling business and would suit someone who is confident operating in a senior environment and comfortable managing complex priorities with authority and discretion. The role combines both executive and private support and requires a highly proactive individual with outstanding organisational skills. You will manage the Founder's busy diary, inbox, meetings, and follow-ups, coordinate complex travel and logistics for both business and occasional private requirements, and handle personal and household administration. Acting as a key point of contact internally and externally, you will represent the Founder with professionalism and confidence while supporting special projects and anticipating upcoming priorities. This is a role for someone who can think several steps ahead, remain calm under pressure, and take genuine ownership of outcomes. We are looking for a candidate with proven experience supporting Founders, senior executives, or C-suite leaders. You will be highly organised, meticulous in your attention to detail, and trusted to handle sensitive information with absolute discretion. Communication skills must be excellent, and you should be comfortable interacting with senior stakeholders while maintaining the confidence to manage competing demands and strong personalities when required. A proactive, solutions-focused mindset is essential, as is the ability to work independently and make sound judgements. Multilingual skills are welcome, though not essential. In return, the company offers a competitive salary in the range of 60,000 to 80,000 per annum, depending on experience, alongside the opportunity to hold a pivotal position within a fast-growing technology business. You will work closely with the Founder and gain exposure to high-level business strategy, confidential projects, and a dynamic leadership environment. This is a fully office-based role located in Saffron Walden, and remote or hybrid working is not available due to the secure and sensitive nature of the industry. Zero Surplus is East Anglia's premier product design recruitment agency, based just outside Cambridge our sales recruiters source staff for small and international AI and technology businesses across Essex and the East of England. For registration purposes, please could you let us know where you are currently based or which locations you are considering as well as your required salary and notice period. Please upload a Microsoft Word version of your CV where possible, excluding textboxes or images. Any data we collect from you will be stored and processed in accordance with Zero Surplus' Privacy Policy.
Zero Surplus
Jan 05, 2026
Full time
Sales Executive Opportunity - B2B Services (No Experience Needed) Are you ambitious, driven, and looking to build a long-term career in sales? This is a fantastic opportunity to join a fast-growing specialist provider of print, workflow, and automation solutions a business known for delivering an exceptional, high-end customer experience. If you want more than "just a job" and are serious about developing into a high-performing B2B sales professional, this could be the perfect next step. Why This Role Is Different This company doesn't just hire people they invest in them. You will receive one of the most comprehensive training and development programmes in the industry, delivered directly by the business owners. They commit real time, energy, and mentorship into every new starter across their first two years and beyond. You'll begin in a consultative outbound sales role focused on generating leads, speaking with decision-makers, and booking high-quality meetings. As you grow, you'll progress into client-facing sales, start running meetings yourself, and take on bigger opportunities. The environment is close-knit, supportive, and genuinely fun. The team operates like a family, celebrates success together, and has fantastic retention because people come here to build a career , not just a stepping stone. What You'll Be Doing Speaking with businesses daily to introduce a premium suite of print and automation services Identifying opportunities, generating leads, and booking meetings for the senior sales team Learning how to position high-value solutions and articulate ROI to clients Building strong rapport with stakeholders at all levels Working closely with a talented team and receiving ongoing coaching and support Developing into a field-facing sales role once you've proven yourself What We're Looking For Ambition, hunger, and the desire to build a true career in sales A positive attitude and the resilience needed for outbound activity Confidence, curiosity, and strong communication skills Someone who wants training, development, and a long-term pathway A team player who thrives in a supportive, high-performance environment A naturally motivated individual who enjoys working towards goals The Opportunity This is not an easy role but the rewards for those who stick with it and excel are genuinely life-changing. You'll be joining a business that is rapidly expanding, industry-leading in service quality, and deeply committed to developing the next generation of sales talent. If you want structured training, real progression, and the chance to build a six-figure future within a few years, this is one of the strongest entry-level sales opportunities on the market. Located in central London just off Tower Bridge Road, the role is ideally situated for candidates in all quarters of London, and those commuting in. I's in the office Mon - Thursday, with the option to work Friday from home. Please upload a Microsoft Word version of your CV where possible, excluding textboxes or images, as this can affect the consultant's job matching process and therefore your details may not be picked up for a role. If you don't have an up-to-date CV please just give us a ring for a confidential chat via the number on our website. Any data we collect from you will be stored and processed in accordance with Zero Surplus' Privacy Policy.