Production Controller

Our Production team are looking for a Production Controller to manage the production of colour illustrated and mono books for HarperCollins. The role will be responsible for managing the Pavilion backlist titles, Harper North frontlist mono titles, as well as working with the Special Sales team to produce non-trade and customised titles. We're looking for an experienced individual who will confidently produce the products within the agreed budget, quality and lead-time requirements. As well as strong organisation and communication skills, we're looking for someone with a creative spark and a keen eye for detail. You must be able to work to deadlines and be able to prioritise your workload. This is an ideal opportunity for a Production Assistant ready for their next step, or a Production Controller looking for a change.

Pavilion Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers specialising in illustrated non-fiction. Founded in 1981, the list has been defined by award-winning authors and brands, successful collaborations, distinctive design, well-researched content and uncompromising production values. The imprint's main subject areas are food and drink, crafts, interiors, gardening, health, gift and nostalgia.

HarperNorth was established in 2020 and specialises in publishing voices from the North across fiction and non-fiction from memoir to history, crime to rom-com. The editorial team are based in Manchester, but this role is based at the London office.

Core Responsibilities

• Ensure products are produced within budget through estimating and maintaining costs (print, paper and bind costs as well as plant costs); negotiating with suppliers where applicable; presenting accurate final costs and processing invoices.
• Manage schedules for frontlist and reprints, from typesetting and pre-press through to delivery, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Run costings, ensuring commercial decisions are made using the most accurate information.
• Ensure corrections are collated and taken in for all reprints, maintaining communication with the appropriate creative and commercial teams.
• Develop relationships with repro, print and freight suppliers in Asia, Europe and elsewhere to ensure effective production.
• Liaise with warehouse and client services staff on stock issues and the release of your titles.
• Manage the archiving process to ensure that all product is available via Cumulus, the Digital Asset Management System.
• Manage eBook production/corrections.
• Maintain accurate records and data within the production system.
• Check plotter proofs or InSite proofs, check colour proofs where necessary and make sure printing matches proofs or previous printed copies.
• Assist other Production Controllers and Production Manager when required to manage workload and departmental needs.

Experience Required

• Demonstrable experience of working in Production at a Book Publisher
• Negotiating with suppliers, establishing good working relationships
• Managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Good knowledge of colour and mono book production
• Working with multiple stakeholders

Skills Required

• Interest in print and eBook production
• Good communication skills
• Good numerical skills
• Ability to ask for help with solving problems, escalating as necessary
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office
• Desirable: understanding of InDesign/print pdfs

*Benefits*

• Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days)
• Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
• Private healthcare cover and life assurance
• Summer Hours
• Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal
• Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme
• Relocation Rent Support Loan
• Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work
• Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes
• Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers
• Gym membership discount
• Onsite physiotherapy (London only)
• Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days
• We're a certified Carbon Neutral company
• Green Electric/Hybrid Car Benefit Scheme (salary sacrifice)
• With Trees for Life we plant a tree in the Highlands of Scotland for every permanent hire
• Free e-books and audiobooks, digital newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books
• Subsidised canteen and retail discounts
• Onsite prayer room

At HarperCollins, we value authenticity and integrity in our recruitment process. To ensure a fair and accurate evaluation of all applications, we ask that all responses to assessment questions reflect your own thoughts, experiences, and capabilities. This allows us to fairly assess your knowledge, skills, and experience to determine how they align with the role. We value diverse perspectives and genuine contributions, even if answers are not perfect. The use of AI tools or external assistance to generate responses is discouraged unless explicitly permitted for specific tasks.

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to tarni.crossley- with subject heading 'Vacancy Query' plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.

Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.