Senior Production Controller

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

Reporting to the Production Manager, the Senior Production Controller will be working within the Group Production team to produce front-list titles, co-editions, reprints and eBooks, as well as providing general support to the Production Manager and Production Director as required.  We’re looking for an individual with significant experience working on Children’s product, 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.

Core responsibilities

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

• Run costings, ensuring commercial decisions are made using the most accurate information.

• Manage schedules for front list, co-editions and reprints, from pre-press through to delivery, ensuring effective communication to all stakeholders.

• Manage co-editions, from pricing, scheduling, file supply/approvals through print to shipping and delivery notes.

• Work with creative teams on product development including books plus/novelty.

• Work with repro, print and freight suppliers in Asia, Europe and elsewhere to ensure effective production.

• Liaise with warehouse and client services staff on stock issues and the release of your titles.

• Manage the archiving process to ensure that all product is available via Cumulus, the Digital Asset Management System.

• Ensure all books and other products comply with relevant safety legislation.

• Ensure completed technical files are assembled for new titles prior to publication and are up to date for reprints/co-editions as required.

• Ensure print work is placed according to HC social compliance and other standards, particularly in relation to specific licensors.

• Manage eBook production in time for publication/corrections.

• Maintain accurate records and data within the production system.

• Maintain and develop relationships with key suppliers.

• Advise on prepress approach, liase with repro houses/printers, check proofs.

• Maintain communication with the appropriate creative and commercial teams, attending the fortnightly progress meeting and chairing when required.

• Assist other Production Controllers and Production Manager/Director when required to manage workload and departmental needs.

Experience required

• Significant production and title management experience

• Experience working with suppliers across Asia and Europe

• Managing safety testing and approvals process

• Managing multiple projects simultaneously

• Working with spot buy and contract pricing

• Managing co-editions

• Good knowledge of Children's books and books plus products, including development of new ideas

• Working with multiple stakeholders, managing workload and priorities

• International freight including incoterms

• Some experience of product safety including books plus/toy

Skills required

• Solid 1 colour and 4 colour print production experience including co-editions

• Novelty books/books plus production

• Knowledge of eBook production

• Negotiation skills

• Excellent communication skills

• Excellent numerical skills and commercial acumen

• Ability to solve problems creatively, and think on your feet, escalating where necessary

• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office

• Desirable: understanding of InDesign/print pdfs

Benefits

• Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Private healthcare cover and life assurance

• Summer Hours 

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

• Relocation Rent Support Loan 

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

• Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal

• 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 [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.

Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.