Production Controller, Priddy Books and Neon Squid

Pan Macmillan Ltd.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job description

This is a great opportunity to work on fun and exciting children’s novelty and non-fiction books. If you want to work in a small publishing team where you get really involved in the development of new formats then this might be the role for you.

Your team:
The production team consists of five people, all dedicated to making our books the best they can be. We are professional, organised and enjoy collaborating to get the best result.

The role is mid-level within the team and you should be keen to maximize profit for the company while still ensuring the most beautiful products.

Your key responsibilities:

• Help oversee production of new titles, co-editions and specials to ensure product arrives in time and within budget.
• Contribute towards new projects with production knowledge and suggestions.
• Negotiate and manage supplier relationships including scale prices and procedures.
• Identify and resolve problems as they arise and manage up to ensure your line manager is aware.
• Ensure all products are compliant with safety requirements.
• Maintain good relationships with internal departments and suppliers.

Essential experience, abilities and knowledge you’ll need to succeed:

• Demonstrated experience in production of a range of books (novelty experience is not essential).
• Proven ability to recognize and solve problems (both potential and actual).
• Experience with dealing with suppliers.
• Understanding of book specifications and schedules.
• Proven ability to understand and interpret printer quotes, estimates and margin costings.

Ideally, you should have experience as a production assistant or controller in a print, packaging or publishing company. Familiarity with working with Far Eastern suppliers and the interest in working on frontlist and novelty books is key.

Desirable skills we’d love you to have:

• Knowledge of US, UK and EU safety testing requirements and procedures.
• Experience of novelty production and books plus.
• Knowledge of the paper industry and ethical paper sourcing.

What you’ll get in return:

In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.

Salary starting from: £29,000

Closing date: 23 April 2025

Some of the benefits we offer:

• 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Discounted private medical insurance.
• Group income protection scheme.
• Enhanced family pay and leave.
• Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months).
• 2 Volunteer Days per year.
• 75% off all Pan Macmillan and Priddy books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates).
• Season ticket loan/advance.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings.
• Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch.

This is a full time, permanent/fixed term role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.

At Pan Macmillan, we are highly committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at every level of our organisation. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process; if you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements please do let us know. Our efforts to promote DEI are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve our policies and practices. You can read our full Diversity & Inclusion Pledge here:https://www.panmacmillan.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion

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