Senior Production Controller

Salary £35,000 - £39,000 (GBP) Depending on skills and experience

Seniority Mid-level

• Closing: 11:55pm, 20th May 2025 BST

Perks and benefits

Work from home option

Wellness programs

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Mentoring/coaching

Cycle to work scheme

Candidate happiness

8.66 (29395)

Job Description

This is a fantastic opportunity to work on a wide range of Children's products, including mono fiction titles, colour picture books, novelty products, and eBooks, working across highly successful brands, and with bestselling authors and illustrators.

Reporting to the Production Manager, the Senior Production Controller will work within the Group Production team to produce front-list titles, co-editions, reprints, and eBooks, as well as providing support to the Production Manager and Production Director. We seek an individual with significant experience in Children's product production, capable of delivering within budget, quality, and deadlines. Strong organizational and communication skills, a creative spark, and a keen eye for detail are essential. The ability to work under deadlines and prioritize workload is required.

Core responsibilities

Ensure products are produced within budget by estimating and maintaining costs (print, paper, bind, plant costs); negotiate with suppliers; present accurate final costs and process invoices.

Run costings, ensuring decisions are based on accurate information.

Manage schedules for front list, co-editions, and reprints from pre-press to delivery, communicating effectively with all stakeholders.

Manage co-editions, including pricing, scheduling, file supply/approvals, print, and shipping.

Collaborate with creative teams on product development, including books and novelty items.

Work with repro, print, and freight suppliers globally to ensure effective production.

Liaise with warehouse and client services on stock issues and title releases.

Manage archiving processes to ensure product availability via Cumulus, the Digital Asset Management System.

Ensure compliance with safety legislation for all products.

Prepare technical files for new titles and update for reprints/co-editions.

Ensure print work complies with social and licensor standards.

Manage eBook production timelines and corrections.

Maintain accurate records within the production system.

Develop relationships with key suppliers.

Advise on prepress approaches, liaise with repro houses/printers, and check proofs.

Communicate with creative and commercial teams, attend and chair progress meetings as needed.

Support other Production Controllers and managers to manage workload.

Experience required

Significant experience in production and title management.

Experience working with suppliers across Asia and Europe.

Experience managing safety testing and approvals.

Proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Experience with spot buy and contract pricing.

Experience managing co-editions.

Good knowledge of Children's books and books plus products, including developing new ideas.

Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, workloads, and priorities.

Understanding of international freight and incoterms.

Some experience with product safety, including books plus/toy.

Skills required

Solid experience in 1-color and 4-color print production, including co-editions.

Knowledge of eBook production.

Excellent numerical skills and commercial acumen.

Creative problem-solving skills and ability to escalate issues appropriately.

Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office.

Desirable: familiarity with InDesign and print PDFs.

Hybrid working model (3 days in the office).

Benefits include private healthcare, life assurance, summer hours, access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programs, mental health first aiders, wellbeing portals, relocation support, employee networks, unlimited training, virtual GP and eyecare vouchers, onsite physiotherapy (London), charitable donation matching, volunteering days, free e-books/audiobooks, newspaper subscriptions, retail discounts, onsite prayer room.

To discuss this position or your application, contact with subject 'Vacancy Query' + job title. We aim to respond within 5 working days.

Applications must be submitted via Applied; email applications are not accepted.