Senior Production Controller Job at Pan Macmillan (London)

Job Responsibility

End-to-end production management: Manage the production process for a diverse range of adult titles, ensuring every book, from standard mono to high-spec special editions, meets Pan Macmillan’s quality standards
Manufacturing oversight: Order and monitor printings from initial confirmation through to final delivery, acting as a primary point of contact for external suppliers to ensure a seamless supply chain
Financial stewardship: Produce accurate costings at every stage of the critical path to support informed business decisions and maintain healthy project margins
Commercial negotiation: Proactively negotiate schedules, specifications, and pricing with external suppliers to secure the best value without compromising on quality or deadlines
Data integrity: Manage and update Biblio and other internal systems to ensure product records, schedules, and approvals are accurate and accessible to the wider business
Cross-departmental collaboration: Partner closely with the Editorial, Art, Operations, and Sales teams to align production schedules with marketing beats, retail requirements, and core process improvements

Book production expertise: Proven experience in book production (ideally within trade publishing), with a practical understanding of mono manufacturing and advanced knowledge of book specifications
Technical literacy: A comprehensive working knowledge of typesetting, repro, ebooks, and print processes, alongside proficiency in industry-standard software (such as Biblio and Adobe Acrobat)
Commercial & financial awareness: A high level of numeracy with the ability to produce accurate costings, negotiate competitive pricing with suppliers, and manage invoices precisely
Project management & prioritisation: Excellent organisational skills with a demonstrated ability to manage a complex workload and maintain schedules across multiple high-priority titles
Collaboration & communication: Clear, persuasive written and spoken communication skills, with a natural ability to build positive relationships with both internal stakeholders and external global suppliers
Inclusion and representation: An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve
Community: A collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment
Curiosity: A strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives
Integrity: A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes

Special-edition management: A proven understanding of the exclusive edition market, including the technical requirements for managing tip-ins, special finishes, and bespoke customer materials
Innovation mindset: A proactive interest in how emerging technologies and AI tools, such as Gemini, can be harnessed to improve process efficiencies and creative problem-solving

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 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