At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development from concept to manufacture, ensuring safety and quality.
- Company: Join a creative team at Quarto UK, known for innovative publishing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25-30 days holiday, health plans, discounts, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by turning imaginative ideas into successful products.
- Qualifications: Experience in print production and novelty formats is essential.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Are you excited by the challenge of turning imaginative concepts into safe, commercially successful products? Do you thrive on bringing people together to make confident publishing decisions? If you are an experienced novelty production expert who combines creative thinking with commercial judgement and rigorous attention to safety, then this could be the role for you.
You will report directly to the UK Production Director and help Quarto UK bring innovative products to market more efficiently by strengthening early feasibility assessment, reducing avoidable safety issues, improving project handovers and building novelty development ability across Creative and production teams.
Contract: permanent
Salary: £41,000 per year
Working hours: Your standard working hours will be 35 hours per week with core working hours between 10am and 4pm. We currently operate a discretionary hybrid model, with three days in our London office and two working from home.
About the role: You will be the custodian of new product-development requests from concept to manufacture, providing expert direction on novelty formats, materials, engineering, safety, quality, cost and feasibility. You will assess and prioritise requests, delegate projects to colleagues as appropriate and keep oversight of progress and standards. With no line-management responsibility, you will lead through ability, mentoring and influence.
What you will be involved in:
- Act as custodian of new product-development requests assessing feasibility, risk, resource requirements and commercial potential with Senior Management.
- Partner with creative, editorial and production teams to turn concepts into achievable specifications and manufacturing solutions.
- Ensure every product follows the required developmental, approval and documentation processes established by the Production Director.
- Facilitate regular product development sessions with Creative and Production to review concepts, resolve risks and agree clear next steps.
- Identify innovations in print, components, materials and manufacturing that improve creativity, sustainability and commercial performance.
- Build strong supplier partnerships and ensure products meet relevant safety, quality and legislative requirements.
- Produce and distribute a regular Product Development Newsletter.
About you: You will be an accomplished print production and product-development professional with strong experience of novelty books, engineered paper products or comparable multi-component formats. You will understand how to take ideas from creative concept to repeatable manufacture, with sound knowledge of prototyping, costing, quality and global product safety. Collaborative, curious and commercially aware, you will be comfortable leading through ability rather than hierarchy. You will influence confidently, mentor colleagues, explain technical matters clearly and make sound decisions about priorities and project allocation. You will bring strong supplier relationships and a calm, practical approach to problem solving.
You will be able to show you can:
- Substantial experience in print production, novelty formats and end-to-end product development.
- Confidence to act as a trusted custodian for new requests, applying consistent standards and sound judgement.
- Expert knowledge of product safety, testing and global market requirements.
- The ability to identify risks early and collaborate effectively with the Safety Lead.
- A practical, independent and resourceful approach supported by strong project management and organisational skills.
- Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills with the confidence to lead cross functional decisions without direct authority.
What we can offer: A supportive, open environment with development opportunities, as well as the following benefits:
- 25 days paid holiday per year (increasing up to 30 days per year), plus bank holidays and Christmas closure days.
- Cultural appreciation day (to honour a cultural holiday which is significant to you, separate to your holiday entitlement).
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Staff discounts on selected shops, retailers, and restaurants.
- Health Cash Plan.
- Pension.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Summer hours.
- Active social and diversity committees.
- Excellent and welcoming office facilities in a fantastic location.
All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for the vacancy. We employ individuals based on their abilities and welcome applicants from all backgrounds regardless of disability, ethnic origin, gender, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, belief, age, or sexual orientation. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we aim to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible for disabled people. Therefore, we encourage you to inform us of any reasonable adjustments you may require during your interview process. Please note, you only need to disclose information that you are comfortable sharing in order for us to accommodate your request.
Lead Senior Controller, Novelty and Product Development in London employer: The Quarto Group
Bright Press is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and creative work environment in the vibrant city of Brighton. With a focus on employee development, we offer generous benefits including 25 days of paid holiday, a health cash plan, and opportunities for cultural appreciation. Join our dynamic team where your editorial skills will thrive, and you will collaborate with talented professionals to shape high-quality illustrated nonfiction titles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Senior Controller, Novelty and Product Development in London
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like The Quarto Group!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at The Quarto Group would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at The Quarto Group through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Senior Controller, Novelty and Product Development in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Lead Senior Controller, Novelty and Product Development, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Lead Senior Controller, Novelty and Product Development position at The Quarto Group. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Quarto Group
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
