At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team ensuring smooth global exam operations and high-quality delivery.
- Company: Join Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days leave, private medical insurance, and a flexible rewards package.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership, communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and progression.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Are you ready to lead a team that keeps our global exam operations running smoothly? Every year, Cambridge University Press & Assessment supports millions of learners worldwide — and our Distribution teams at Group Print and Operations play a crucial role behind the scenes. Join us and help shape the quality, accuracy and care that define our global operations.
About the role
Have you ever wondered how an exam paper is created and processed? At Group Print and Operations, we securely print over half a billion A4 pages each year and deliver them to millions of learners across more than 170 countries. Once completed, centres return the papers to our distribution centre, where our scanning team digitises scripts so examiners can mark them electronically.
As a Distribution Supervisor, you will oversee the processing of assessment materials and guide a team responsible for delivering high‑quality, secure, and accurate operational work. You will lead daily activities, support continuous improvement, and help maintain the strong operational standards that ensure exam materials reach learners safely and on time.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supervising and supporting a team, including acting as deputy in your supervisor's absence
- Coordinating daily activities to ensure procedures and SLAs are met
- Maintaining secure handling of all physical and digital materials
- Monitoring productivity, analysing performance data and addressing issues promptly, escalating where necessary
- Leading one‑to‑one meetings, providing feedback, and identifying training needs
- Supporting the review, development and continuous improvement of departmental procedures
- Encouraging innovation, recognising team achievements and promoting best practice
- Building collaborative relationships across teams and escalating complex issues appropriately
This is a varied role, where you will complete tasks that could be desk-based or involve walking/standing for a long period of time. We encourage development, and there will be many opportunities for progression and growth in your career here at our distribution centre. This role will require shift work (including night shift) for peak parts of the year, depending on organisational need. The standard working hours are 8.30am – 4.15pm Monday – Friday (3pm finish on Fridays). Shift times are a rotation of early shift (6am – 1.30pm), late shift (1.45pm – 9.15pm) and night shift (9:15pm - 06:30 am Monday – Friday, early finishes on both shifts on Fridays) and you will receive a shift premium of 20% (nights 30%).
About You
You will bring strong leadership skills, excellent communication and a calm, organised approach to a fast‑paced operational environment. You take pride in accuracy, problem‑solving and motivating others.
Essential skills & experience:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel)
- Strong attention to detail and time‑management skills
- Experience working with procedures and maintaining clear documentation
- Confident communicator with the ability to build strong working relationships
- Ability to lead, motivate and support a team
- Comfortable working under pressure and meeting SLAs
If you meet the above minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply. Your application will be even stronger if you can also demonstrate the following desirable criteria:
- Knowledge of a production or distribution environment
- Full understanding of SLAs and benchmarks
Rewards and benefits
We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world-class, flexible rewards package, featuring family-friendly and planet-friendly benefits including:
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Group personal pension scheme
- Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
- Green travel schemes
Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now. We aim to support candidates by making our interview process clear and transparent. The closing date for all applications will be 8th February 2026. We will review applications on an ongoing basis, and shortlisted candidates can expect interviews to take place from week commencing 9th February and week commencing 16th February 2026.
Why join us
Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You will belong to a collaborative team that is exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe – for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration. Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it is safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background. We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.
Distribution Supervisor employer: Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CUPA)
Contact Detail:
Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CUPA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Distribution Supervisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Cambridge University Press & Assessment on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research the company’s distribution processes and think about how your leadership skills can enhance their operations. Show them you’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with you. Focus on your communication skills and how you can motivate a team, just like the role requires.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our awesome team!
We think you need these skills to ace Distribution Supervisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Distribution Supervisor role. Highlight your leadership skills and experience in a fast-paced environment, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your proficiency in Microsoft Office and any experience you have with procedures and documentation. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your achievements and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CUPA)
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Distribution Supervisor role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and how they contribute to the overall operations at Cambridge University Press & Assessment. This will help you articulate how your skills align with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Distribution Supervisor, you'll be leading a team, so be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Share specific examples of how you've motivated teams in the past, handled challenges, and supported continuous improvement. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think of scenarios where you've had to manage tight deadlines or resolve conflicts within a team. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the team's current challenges, opportunities for growth, or how success is measured in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.