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- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to manage production for beloved children's books.
- Company: Be part of Penguin Random House, a leader in children's publishing.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Work with iconic titles and develop diverse production skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Previous experience in production roles and strong organisational skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available; apply with CV and cover letter.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 42000 £ per year.
3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Do you have a can-do attitude, and relish the thought of being part of a busy team?
If so, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Penguin Random House Children’s Production department.
We’re looking for a Production Controller to help produce frontlist, co-edition and non-trade books on the Puffin and Random House Children’s lists, covering vital new voices, modern juggernauts like Philip Pullman, and incredible classics from Roald Dahl to The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
You’ll work closely and collaboratively with internal teams across Editorial, Design, Sales, Inventory, Finance. You’ll negotiate with external suppliers worldwide to supply both UK and international markets, and help us identify and implement solutions for manufacturing, costing, and scheduling in a constantly evolving landscape.
Breadth of work is key to our team, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to produce mono, colour and some novelty titles. We recognise that many applicants might have dominant or exclusive experience in just one of these areas, and this will not disadvantage an application.
This role offers a chance to develop a wider range of production skills than almost any other in the industry within a team which is friendly, supportive, and focused on career development. It would equally suit a seasoned assistant looking to step up to controller, or a controller looking for a fresh challenge or to broaden their skillset. We bring incredible children’s books to life every day, and we look forward to your application.
Key responsibilities:
- Costing, scheduling and raising purchase orders for trade, co-edition, non-trade and local print product with our global suppliers
- Ensuring accurate records are kept on Biblio so that product specification, archived files and lead times are clear, useable and ready to hand over to our backlist team on reprint
- Ensuring all specification and supplier decisions are made with full consideration of department strategy and product sustainability, suggesting changes where appropriate
- Keeping schedules on track, coordinating typesetting, repro and pre-flight checks on final files
- Building relationships with both internal and external stakeholders in a helpful, responsive and professional manner.
- Contributing to the improvement of systems and best practices in a positive and proactive manner
What you’ll bring
- Previous experience in a similar role.
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely
- Self-driven. Able to keep colleagues and suppliers on track
- Comfortable with prioritising and managing a busy workload, with a calm, positive and flexible approach.
- Strong organisational skills
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 13th July.
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.
Circa £30,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
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.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Associate
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Production
-
Industries
Book and Periodical Publishing
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Production Controller employer: Penguin Random House UK
Contact Detail:
Penguin Random House UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Controller
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key authors and titles mentioned in the job description, such as Philip Pullman and Roald Dahl. This knowledge will not only help you understand the company's focus but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the publishing industry, especially those who have experience in production roles. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could provide insights or even referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your organisational skills by preparing a mock project plan for a book production cycle. This will showcase your ability to manage schedules and coordinate with various teams, which is crucial for the Production Controller role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the latest trends in book production and sustainability practices within the publishing industry. Being knowledgeable about these topics will show your commitment to the role and align with the company's values.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in production roles, especially any work related to costing, scheduling, and supplier management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your organisational skills and ability to manage a busy workload.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should clearly outline why you are the right fit for the Production Controller role. Discuss how your previous experiences align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description, and express your enthusiasm for working with children's literature.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since the role involves building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, emphasise your communication skills in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams or negotiated with suppliers in the past.
Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability: The job requires a calm and positive approach to managing a busy workload. In your application, mention instances where you've had to adapt to changing circumstances or priorities, showcasing your ability to remain organised and effective under pressure.
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Random House UK
✨Show Your Passion for Children's Literature
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for children's books during the interview. Mention specific titles or authors you admire, like Roald Dahl or Philip Pullman, and explain how they inspire your work in production.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you manage multiple projects simultaneously. Share examples of how you've kept schedules on track and coordinated with various teams, highlighting your ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves liaising with both internal teams and external suppliers, emphasise your clear and concise communication style. Provide examples of successful negotiations or collaborations that showcase your interpersonal skills.
✨Prepare for Questions on Sustainability
Given the emphasis on product sustainability in the job description, be ready to discuss how you've considered sustainability in past projects. Share any ideas you have for improving processes in this area, showing your proactive approach.
