Production Manager / Reprint Controller 9 Month Ft

Inspired Selection; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Inspired Selection is seeking an experienced Production Manager for a nine-month fixed-term contract with a respected independent publisher in London. You will oversee the children’s list across fiction and non-fiction, from costing to delivery, coordinating with editors and printers.

You will bring hands-on colour book production experience, strong costing abilities, and a collaborative mindset to a small team.

Qualifications

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Responsibilities

• Manage titles through the production process from costing to delivery
• Oversee fiction and non-fiction reprints
• Obtain quotes, prepare costings and negotiate with printers and suppliers
• Send titles to press and manage production schedules
• Maintain production information and workflows using Biblio
• Support print decision meetings and collaborate with editorial and internal teams
• Provide cover when needed and support the wider production team

Skills

Book production

Colour production

Costing & quotes

Printer liaison

Attention to detail

Communication

Deadline management

Team collaboration

Tools

Biblio

Job description

Are you an experienced book production professional who loves the variety and creativity of children's publishing?

We're looking for a Production Manager to join a highly regarded independent publisher on a nine-month fixed-term contract, working across a wonderfully varied children's list spanning fiction and non-fiction, colour and mono, from board and novelty books through to illustrated titles and YA.

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with strong colour production experience who enjoys working closely with editors and suppliers and keeping multiple projects moving.

The role

Reporting to an experienced Production Director, you'll take responsibility for the children's list alongside general fiction and non-fiction reprints.

• Managing titles through the production process, from costing through to delivery
• Managing fiction and non-fiction reprints
• Obtaining quotes, preparing costings and negotiating with printers and suppliers
• Sending titles to press and managing schedules
• Managing production information and workflows using Biblio
• Supporting print decision meetings
• Working closely with editorial and internal teams to keep projects moving
• Supporting the wider production team and providing cover when needed

About you

You'll be an organised, confident production professional who can get up to speed quickly in a busy publishing environment.

• Experience in book production
• Good working knowledge of Biblio
• Hands‑on colour book production experience
• Experience of costings, print quotes and working directly with printers
• Excellent attention to detail and organisation
• Strong, proactive communication skills
• The ability to manage multiple deadlines and changing priorities
• A collaborative approach and willingness to pitch in as part of a small team

Experience within children's publishing would be particularly welcome as would co‑edition publishing , but candidates from broader trade publishing backgrounds with strong colour production experience are also encouraged to apply.

Why this role?

This is a role with real variety and the opportunity to work across different ages, formats and areas of the publishing list.

You'll work closely with a highly experienced Production Director and join a supportive, close‑knit team within an independent publisher committed to responsible and sustainable publishing. You'll also have opportunities to build direct relationships with suppliers, including visits to printers and paper mills.

Working pattern

The role is based in London, with a hybrid working pattern of three days in the office and flexibility around start and finish times.

This is initially a nine‑month fixed‑term contract.