Production Manager (Puffin)

We have a fantastic opportunity to join our Puffin Production team as a Production Manager.

As the largest global children’s publisher, Puffin is the home to some of the most iconic characters, authors and illustrators alongside dazzling new talent. We believe the right book can inspire a child to feel they can be and do anything.

The role

We’re looking for an enthusiastic Production Manager who’s passionate about making a difference, who has a commercial outlook and is comfortable driving change.

As a Production Manager you will work closely and collaboratively with internal teams across Editorial, Design, Sales, Inventory, Finance as well as external suppliers, to identify and implement solutions for manufacturing, costing, and scheduling challenges.

An important part of this role includes managing supplier relationships, you will play a key part in influencing and negotiating with external suppliers.

You’ll not only support and manage members of the team you’ll also understand the importance of inspiring, developing and enabling them to do their best work.

Your keen eye for detail will ensure everything is delivered on time, within budget, and to high quality standards. You’ll manage the production of books and associated formats, including working on custom product, bringing ideas and solutions to the creative teams.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Have a confident understanding of the needs and goals of your Production team and use this to inform your decision-making with high commercial awareness.

• Take a proactive role in shaping how we work by evaluating, critiquing, improving, and communicating our processes and best practices.

• Be authoritative and influential, serving as an ambassador and point of contact for the team. Provide trusted production advice and support to other departments.

• Develop and communicate a proactive and collaborative production approach, partnering with Editorial, Design, and Sales to drive innovation and growth.

• Demonstrate market and commercial awareness, showing a strong understanding of business needs and how the team can best support the Children’s Publishing Division.

• Take initiative and lead on ad-hoc projects and tasks outside of the usual Trade and Non-Trade production cycles. Approach production solutions creatively and innovatively, contributing to the department’s strategic initiatives and process improvements.

• Contribute to a calm, constructive, and mature atmosphere in the team, being a positive influence within the department and the broader company.

• Be confident in your understanding of production processes, systems, terminology, and the broader company and industry. Guide, advise, and formally train junior team members.

What you will bring:

Essential criteria:

• Mentoring, training or managing team members experience

• Excellent experience of colour (including novelty) and mono book production.

• You’ll have excellent attention to detail and will be able to demonstrate a calm, positive and flexible approach to your work – even when you’re under pressure.

• You’re used to managing a varied workload with a track record of successfully delivering to deadlines while meeting the expectations of multiple stakeholders. 

• You’re a great communicator and keen negotiator - adept at building and maintaining relationships.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on Sunday 16th March.

• Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length.

• We anticipate a two-stage in-person interview process. We are happy to discuss this further with you throughout the recruitment process.

Salary

£40,000 - £45,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

What you can expect from us

Our people are the heart of our business, and we work hard to support a culture of responsibility and recognition.

Our benefits include:

• Financial – discounted shopping, season ticket loan, rental deposit loan

• Wellbeing – healthcare cash plan, employee assistance, gym loan

• Lifestyle – taste card, tech scheme, free and discounted books

For our full benefits list please visit: https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/what-we-offer/

Hybrid working

While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important.

This is a hybrid role, based in our offices in London, as there are activities and meetings that you will need to support in-person for a minimum of 2-days p/week. We are happy to discuss hybrid working arrangements with you during your recruitment process.

About Penguin

We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone.

The recruitment process

You can read about our recruitment process at https://www.penguinrandomhousecareers.co.uk/how-we-hire/

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we offer interviews to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role, and opt-in on their application form. The essential criteria for this role are listed as part of the ‘What you will bring’ section. There may be times when the volume of applications means we cannot take all eligible candidates to interview.

We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing PRHCareersUK@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request.

Please note, we are not able to accept agency CVs for this role. Any CVs sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee.

Company: Penguin Books Limited 

Country: United Kingdom 

State/Region: London 

City: London 

Postal Code: SW11 7BW 

Job ID: 278134