Senior Production Controller, Farshore (3 month FTC)

 Purpose of the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity to work on a wide range of Children’s products, including mono Fiction titles, colour Picture Books and ebooks, working across highly successful brands such as Mr Men and Little Miss, Thomas, Winnie-the-Pooh, Minecraft and Pokémon.

Reporting to the Production Manager, the Senior Production Controller will be working within the Group Production team to produce front list titles and ebooks, as well as giving general support on co-editions and reprints.  We’re looking for an experienced individual who will confidently produce the products within the agreed budget, quality and lead-time requirements. As well as strong organisation and communication skills, we’re looking for someone with a creative spark and a keen eye for detail.  You must be able to work to deadlines and be able to prioritise your workload. This is an ideal opportunity for a Production Controller ready for their next step, or a Senior Production Controller looking for a change.

Responsibilities

• To co-ordinate the production of front list brands titles and ebooks, including costing, setting schedules and progress chasing

• To maintain accurate records and data within the production system,

• To maintain accurate safety technical files, arranging safety testing as part of this

• To ensure quality standards are met through quality checking pre-press and printer proofs, final printing materials and finished copies

• To ensure products are produced within budget through estimating and maintaining costs (print, paper and bind costs as well as plant costs); negotiating with suppliers; presenting accurate final costs and processing invoices

• To maintain communication with the appropriate creative and commercial teams, and attending the fortnightly progress meetings

• To manage relationships with internal colleagues and external suppliers, ensuring that information is disseminated throughout the business in a clear and visible manner

• To maintain systems such as the Digital Asset Management system and Purchase Order System, ensuring the upload of accurate files and information in a timely manner

• To deputise for the Production Manager as appropriate and support other members of the team

Person Specification

• Experience

• Project management experience in both mono and colour books

• Familiarity with managing print suppliers

• Knowledge of the technical processes involved in the manufacture of books

• Experience of managing multiple projects simultaneously

Skills

• Problem solving

• Very well organised with excellent attention to detail

• Excellent relationship building skills

• Strong IT skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Tools

• Good numeracy skills and communication skills

• Ability to work independently, and support others in team

• Commercially aware of the publishing process

Benefits 

• Hybrid working model (2+ days in the office) 

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days) 

• Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave 

• Private healthcare cover and life assurance 

• Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal 

• Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme 

• Rent Relocation Loan

• Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work, Pride at HC, Socio Mobility Network and Neurodiversity network

• Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes 

• Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers 

• Gym membership discount 

• Onsite physiotherapy (London only) 

• Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days

• We're a certified Carbon Neutral company 

• Free e-books and audiobooks, newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books 

• Subsidised canteen and retail discounts 

• Onsite prayer room 

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to our People Advisor at [email removed - click apply for more details] with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.