Operations Controller, Product Data and Publication in Cambridge

We are recruiting for an Operations Controller, Product Data & Publication to play a key role in delivering timely, accurate and globally aligned publication of Cambridge Academic products across print and digital formats. This role sits at the heart of the Academic Supply Chain and is central to Cambridge's strategic ambition to achieve 100% digital publication and supply from day one. You will coordinate and execute global publication plans, ensuring products are published on time, available in the right formats, and supported by high-quality, reliable data throughout their lifecycle. We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation and a proud part of the University of Cambridge.

About the role

As the Academic business continues to transition towards more standardised ways of working and increased automation through new third-party systems, this role is vital to ensuring product data is ready for migration and that lifecycle management remains robust throughout periods of change without impacting publication or availability. The role has a strong focus on data quality and process improvement, and you will need to balance business-as-usual delivery with involvement in transformation activity, supporting data cleansing, issue resolution and continuous improvement without impacting customers or publication schedules. As Operations Controller for Product Data and Publication you will be responsible for:

• Managing the timely publication of Academic print and digital products, including suitability for supply and ensuring global availability of formats to support Academic business strategies, including digital first and zero inventory.
• Ensuring the quality of Academic product data supplied to vendors and customers is accurate and standardised and contribute to maintaining the accuracy of data through regular analysis, problem solving discrepancies and implementing solutions to fix data errors quickly.
• Proactively seek out data errors and discrepancies which prevent publication or limit availability, identifying the root causes and propose and implement solutions to resolve issues.
• Cleansing historic data records for digital products to support future readiness of publication, licensing or distribution opportunities.

Additional responsibilities and accountabilities include:

• Propose, define and implement new workflows for non-print and non-standard publication processes and regularly review existing processes for continual improvements.
• Establish and manage reports to monitor product availability and other KPIs as required.
• Contribute to the maintenance of inventory processes including product withdrawals and resupplies.

This position has been classified as a hybrid role, requiring the selected candidate to typically spend 40-60% of their time collaborating and connecting face-to-face at their dedicated location. Aside from our hybrid principles, other flexible working requests will be considered from the first day of employment, including other work arrangements should you require adjustments due to a disability or long-term health condition.

About You

This is an ideal role for someone with experience of publishing operations in an Academic environment, and who enjoys working across complex systems and datasets, collaborating widely, solving problems proactively and using data to inform decisions. You will act as a trusted point of contact on publication and availability matters, helping to resolve complex data and supply issues while continuously improving visibility, reporting and processes. You will also be comfortable explaining complex information to a range of stakeholders and confident working in a fast-evolving digital supply chain environment. We promote an environment of continuous improvement, and you will be process oriented and able to show examples of where you have positively influenced and changed business or operational processes for the better. You will be adaptable and open to change, motivated by working in an environment where systems, processes and publication models continue to evolve. You actively seek to understand new tools, workflows and ways of working, and enjoy building your knowledge to improve accuracy, efficiency and outcomes. You will have demonstrable data analysis and reporting skills, a proactive mindset, and an interest in continuous improvement. If you are motivated by accuracy, collaboration, and the opportunity to help shape the future of academic publishing through strong operational delivery and data-led improvement, this role offers a chance to make a real and visible impact. 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:

• Experience of publishing in an operational context, particularly Academic book publishing.
• Knowledge of digital book products and book data; in particular understanding and experience of ONIX metadata.
• An aptitude to quickly learn and leverage processes in complex systems as the role involves working with customised and evolving platforms.
• Working knowledge and/or application of Lean Six Sigma methodologies is desirable.

For a detailed job description, please refer to the link at the bottom of the advert on our careers site. We are a Disability Confident (DC) employer that is committed to equality and inclusion ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. The DC scheme's Offer of an Interview commitment applies to applicants who opt in, and disclose a disability or a long-term health condition, and who best meet the minimum criteria for the role. In instances where interviewing all qualifying candidates is not practicable and/or appropriate, we prioritise those who best meet the minimum criteria, as we would for applicants who do not have a disability or long-term health condition. Cambridge University Press & Assessment is an approved UK employer for the sponsorship of eligible roles and applicants under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please refer to the gov.uk website for guidance to understand your own eligibility based on the role you are applying for.

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 15^th May. We will review applications on an ongoing basis, and shortlisted candidates can expect interviews to take place from 20^th May to 29^th May.   If you are shortlisted and progressed through the stages, you can expect:

• First stage interview: in person or via MS Teams. You may be provided with a brief to complete a role related task which will need to be returned by email in advance of your interview.
• Final stage interview: in-person at our offices in Cambridge.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process due to a disability or a long-term health condition, there will be an opportunity for you to inform us via the online application form. We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry. We are committed to an equitable recruitment process. As such, applications must be submitted via our official online application procedure. Please refrain from sending your CV directly to our recruiters. If you experience technical difficulties or require additional support with submitting your online application, contact the Recruiter.  

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.