Production Manager, Puffin

Overview

In this role you will lead production activities for Puffin, collaborating with Editorial, Design, Sales and other partners to deliver high-quality children’s books on time and within budget. You will manage supplier relationships, drive process improvements and shape how we work to support scalable production. Expect opportunities to mentor the team, guide cross-functional projects and balance quality, cost and schedules. This role offers a meaningful impact on our mission to bring iconic stories to children while shaping production culture.

Pay / Benefits

• salary band 45,000-50,000
• bonus
• benefits
• hybrid working
• 3 days per week in the office during probation (reducing to 2 days after probation)
• Embassy Gardens office

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and commercial direction for the Production team and inform decision-making
• Evaluate, critique, and improve production processes and best practices
• Be a confident ambassador for the team, offering trusted production advice to other departments
• Lead a proactive, collaborative production approach with Editorial, Design and Sales to drive innovation and growth
• Demonstrate market and commercial awareness to support the Children’s Publishing Division
• Take initiative on ad-hoc projects outside normal cycles and contribute to strategic initiatives and process improvements
• Foster a calm, constructive, and mature team atmosphere and act as a positive influence
• Ensure sound understanding of production processes, systems, terminology, and the broader company/industry; mentor junior team members

Key requirements

• Experience of children’s book production
• Experience of colour and mono book production
• Experience of mentoring, training or managing a team
• Track record of delivering to deadlines while balancing stakeholder expectations
• Excellent communication and negotiating skills

• communication
• negotiation
• leadership
• colour and mono book production
• production processes and systems
• supplier relationship management

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