Production Manager

Orange Recruitment; Wales; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent publishing press in Wales is looking for a Production Manager to oversee its workflow and ensure quality standards are met. The role involves managing schedules, communicating with customers and suppliers, and may require occasional purchasing of materials. Candidates should have strong communication skills and be proficient in Microsoft Office, with experience in printing or related fields as an asset. Fluent Welsh is essential for this position, but learners are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Annual salary between £32,000 and £40,000

25 days of paid leave plus bank holidays

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Relocation support available

Qualifications

• Experience with commercial printing or related fields.
• Ability to manage staff and processes is beneficial.
• Interest in design and technology.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the workflow in the printing process.
• Provide quotations for commercial printing jobs.
• Ensure published books meet quality standards.
• Order necessary supplies like paper and ink.

Skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Office (especially Excel)

Problem-solving under pressure

Numeracy skills

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

Y Swydd / The Role

Title: PRODUCTION MANAGER

Reporting to: Company Director

This is a responsible, exciting and varied role at the heart of Wales’s most prominent publishing press. From a modern, pleasant office on the North-South main road, you will be responsible for managing and coordinating the company’s commercial and publishing workflow. Duties include creating weekly schedules and quoting for external work. In a role that combines commercial and creative elements, you will be dealing with the flow of people passing through the doors of a busy press – designers, customers, and suppliers – and keeping them all happy. It is a stable job in a solid company, offering the perfect combination of challenge and satisfaction.

This is a full-time role, 5 days a week. The Production Manager will have their own office at Y Lolfa, The Old Police Station, Talybont, Ceredigion.

Main Duties

• Manage and oversee the workflow, ensuring it runs smoothly and effectively.
• Provide quotations for commercial printing customers and ensure jobs are completed on time.
• Ensure that books published by Y Lolfa are printed correctly, promptly and to the expected standard.
• Check work passing through the company’s production departments.
• Occasionally order work from subcontractors.
• Order paper, ink and other materials for the printing and binding departments.
• Prepare job cards for every item passing through the press and create a worklist for the company’s weekly staff meeting.
• Ensure equipment is regularly maintained.
• Be ready to assist in other departments when required.

Cymwysterau a Phrofiad / Qualifications and Experience

Hanfodol / Essential

• The ability to communicate clearly and work in an organised manner.
• Experience of using Microsoft Office programs (especially Excel) and Teams.
• The ability to work under pressure and solve problems.
• Good numeracy skills.

Dymunol / Desirable

• Experience of managing staff and processes.
• Experience of organising work, including pricing, scheduling, prioritising and leading.
• Experience of working in commercial printing / manufacturing or related fields such as graphic design.
• Understanding of design programs such as Adobe InDesign, Acrobat and Photoshop.
• Interest in design, technology and production.
• Experience of handling and working with a variety of machines.

We welcome applicants without direct experience: the first year will be a period of on-the-job training with full support, and further training will be provided as needed. We may also consider splitting the role between two people, with a reduced salary.

Yr Iaith Gymraeg / The Welsh Language

Welsh is the administrative language of the company and of most of our publications and printing work. The ability to converse in simple Welsh is therefore essential for this role, but we are happy to consider applications from keen learners and to provide training for learners wishing to improve their Welsh, so that we can continue to offer a Welsh service to those who request it.

Cyflog ac Amodau / Salary and Conditions

• Annual salary: £32,000 – £40,000 (depending on experience and qualifications). A higher salary may be offered to an exceptional candidate.
• Full-time: 37¼ hours per week (5 days).
• Paid leave: 25 days + statutory bank holidays + one extra day over Christmas.
• Pension: Royal London scheme – employee contribution 5%, employer contribution 3–5% depending on length of service.
• Start date: As soon as possible. No later than 1 February 2026.
• Relocation support: available for candidates from outside the area.
• Training and necessary equipment/software provided.

Cydraddoldeb a Amodau Eraill / Equal Opportunity and Other Conditions

Equal Opportunity: We strive to develop a workplace that reflects all parts of the community regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. Y Lolfa is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment.

Other Conditions: Normal working hours are 7¼ hours a day, 5 days a week. There are 25 days of paid leave in addition to statutory bank holidays. We usually offer one additional day over the Christmas period. Salaries are paid monthly into the bank. A Work Agreement will be signed at the start, and a Staff Handbook will be provided. We are proud of the pleasant working atmosphere here.

Gobaith Progn / Probation

There is a six-month probationary period; the post will then be made permanent if performance is satisfactory.

Cymhorth Ymgeisio / Application

Please send by midday, Monday 3 November 2025:

• A full CV giving details of experience, qualifications, interests, and the names of two referees.
• A letter or email (up to 500 words) explaining why you are applying for the post.

We are happy to receive applications in Welsh or English.

Background

The Lolfa was established in Talybont, Ceredigion in the late 1960s. The press soon became known as a lively and adventurous publisher, producing popular material using the new printing methods of the time. From the beginning, the policy was to be as self-supporting as possible.

The company now owns two B2 litho printing presses – one five-colour and one perfecting press – as well as a digital press and binding machines. In addition to publishing around 80 new books every year, the press also offers a commercial printing service.

Y Lolfa became a limited company in 1979. Today it employs 22 people with an annual turnover of over £1.6 million, with around £400k of the press’s income coming from commercial printing.

The company’s website includes a full list of Y Lolfa’s publications and information about the company.