Production Planning Administrator

AQA Recruiting; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

AQA is seeking a Production Planning Administrator on a 6-month FTC (with potential to extend) in Guildford. You will support secure print operations, ensuring exam materials are produced accurately and on time. The role blends administration, data management and coordination with internal teams and external suppliers.

The position offers hybrid working with two days in the office and potential extension during peak periods, contributing to the delivery of millions of exam papers each year.

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and enjoy checking information for accuracy.
• Experience managing administrative processes and maintaining accurate records.
• Confidence using spreadsheets and working with data.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing tasks.
• Strong communication skills and enjoy building positive relationships with stakeholders.
• A proactive approach and the confidence to take ownership of tasks.
• Good problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• A collaborative mindset and enjoy working closely with others to achieve shared goals.

Responsibilities

• Check final versions of question paper files before sending to printers.
• Distribute confidential files securely to internal teams and external suppliers.
• Review printed examination materials to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Manage production records, spreadsheets and tracking information.
• Monitor stock and production data from suppliers and take action as needed.
• Respond to queries from colleagues and external partners in a timely way.
• Support the management and resolution of production issues.
• Archive examination materials and maintain accurate records.
• Assist with invoicing and related administrative tasks.

Skills

Attention to detail

Administrative processes

Spreadsheets

Organisational skills

Communication

Proactive approach

Problem solving

Teamwork

Data management

Job description

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Production Planning Administrator 6-Month FTC (with potential to extend)

Location: Guildford

Salary: £25,300 - £27,300

Hybrid: 2 days per week in the office (up to 4 days during peak periods)

In this role, you’ll be responsible for:

• You’ll play a vital role in helping ensure examination materials are produced accurately and delivered on time for learners across the country.
• Working as part of the Secure Print Operations team, you’ll support the final stages of the question paper production process, helping maintain the accuracy, security and quality standards that are essential to every exam series.
• Check and approve final versions of question paper files before they are sent for printing.
• Distribute confidential files securely to internal teams and external suppliers.
• Review printed examination materials to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Manage production records, spreadsheets and tracking information.
• Monitor stock and production data from suppliers and take appropriate action where needed.
• Respond to queries from colleagues and external partners in a professional and timely way.
• Support the management and resolution of production issues.
• Archive examination materials and maintain accurate records.
• Help make final examination files available for centres on exam days.
• Support invoicing and other administrative activities within the team.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll join a team that sits at the heart of delivering examinations to millions of learners every year. Your work will have a direct impact on ensuring exam materials are produced accurately, securely and on time.

You’ll benefit from:

• The opportunity to contribute to a process that supports over 10 million exam papers each year.
• A varied role with a mix of administration, data management, problem solving and stakeholder engagement.
• Working alongside experienced colleagues in a supportive team environment.
• Exposure to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Hybrid working that balances collaboration and flexibility.
• The chance to develop valuable skills in operations, planning, coordination and production management.

Key Qualifications (skills & experience)

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Strong attention to detail and enjoy checking information for accuracy.
• Experience managing administrative processes and maintaining accurate records.
• Confidence using spreadsheets and working with data.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing tasks.
• Strong communication skills and enjoy building positive relationships with stakeholders.
• A proactive approach and the confidence to take ownership of tasks.
• Good problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• A collaborative mindset and enjoy working closely with others to achieve shared goals.
• Experience in an administrative, operations, coordination or support role would be beneficial.

Additional Responsibilities and Activities

Activities:

• Checking final ‘passed for press’ versions of question paper files
• Sending checked files to the external printers as well as any other internal colleagues who require them in a secure and prompt fashion
• Dealing with queries from internal teams regarding question papers
• Checking hard copy versions of question papers
• Archiving hard copy versions of question papers
• Keeping on top of all administrative requirements in relation to question paper production, including updating all data in our spreadsheets, moving files securely between locations, saving backups of files to name a few
• Acquiring data from external suppliers to help monitor stock levels of materials and delivery information and act on the insight required
• Creating and updating documents required by internal and external parties which stem from the data we receive through our processes
• Supporting in the creation of spreadsheets required by the team to aid our processes
• Involved in the management of issues regarding question papers and resolving
• Supporting with invoicing where appropriate
• Making final versions of all question paper and supplementary files available for day of exam download

Success Factors

To be successful in this role, you will need to know:

• Attention To Detail – to spot any possible issues with the material you will be checking
• Initiative – to be able to take on tasks that emerge and may not have been part of any previous plans
• Effective Communication – you will need to be happy talking to stakeholders inside and outside the company in a positive and professional manner to deal with queries
• Problem Solving/decision making – queries can arise which may require you to find out who needs to solve them or potentially find ways of solving them yourself with support from others
• Team working – Working alongside others in a co-operative and friendly manner with the collective purpose of achieving the team’s goals.
• Working under pressure – Our team handle a lot of documents and it’s possible there may be multiple queries occurring at the same time as well as different tasks that need juggling. You will need to remain calm so as to better fulfil your tasks in a timely, positive and professional manner
• Planning and prioritising – There may be multiple tasks that you need to look at. You will need to be able to understand what tasks require prioritising and plan to carry out those tasks in an order that makes sense

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in the role, please contact the recruiter named in the vacancy advert or your interview correspondence. They will work with you to ensure the appropriate support is in place and that the process is as accessible and equitable as possible. If you’re unsure who your recruiter is, or can’t reach them, contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at [e-mail] or 07813 724161, and she’ll direct you to the right person. Please note that Faye cannot assist with temporary vacancy enquiries or non-recruitment matters. For temporary vacancies, contact [e-mail].

Smart Working

We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.

Conflict of Interest

Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.

Safeguarding

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly. For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here.

Contact

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