Assistant Production Manager

Rachna Sagar; Delhi; On-site; INR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Rachna Sagar in Delhi is seeking an experienced Production Coordinator to support end-to-end publishing production for books and educational products.

You will plan schedules, coordinate with editors, printers, and vendors, monitor costs, and ensure on-time delivery while upholding quality.

The role requires strong Excel/ERP skills, vendor negotiation, and the ability to juggle multiple titles and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Production, Printing Technology, or related field.
• 4–7 years of publishing/printing/manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge of offset and digital printing, binding, finishing, paper, packaging, and production costing.
• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills.
• Excellent analytical, coordination, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in MS Excel/Google Sheets and production MIS/ERP systems.
• Ability to manage multiple titles, vendors, and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and monitor production schedules based on sales requirements, stock levels, reprints, and new title launches.
• Coordinate with Editorial/DTP for final files, specifications, page counts, and production readiness.
• Plan printing and binding quantities according to approved requirements.
• Coordinate with printers, binders, packaging vendors, and other production partners.
• Monitor printer capacity, production schedules, material availability, and delivery commitments.
• Analyse printing, paper, binding, lamination, packaging, and other production costs.
• Prepare comparative statements and support negotiations for competitive rates.
• Track jobs from file release and proof approval through printing, binding, packing, and dispatch.
• Maintain production MIS and provide regular status reports.
• Coordinate with Editorial, DTP, Sales, MIS, IT, Finance, Warehouse, and Logistics teams.
• Maintain production schedules, printer-wise allocation, cost comparisons, delivery reports, rejection reports, and vendor performance records.

Skills

Vendor management

Negotiation

Excel/Sheets

MIS/ERP systems

Multi-title planning

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Production/Printing/Operations

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Job Purpose

To support the Production Manager in planning, coordinating, monitoring, and controlling the end-to-end production of books and educational products, ensuring timely delivery, optimum cost, consistent quality, and efficient coordination with printers, binders, vendors, warehouse, editorial, DTP, sales, and other internal departments.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning

• Prepare and monitor production schedules based on sales requirements, stock levels, reprints, and new title launches.
• Coordinate with Editorial/DTP for final files, specifications, page counts, and production readiness.
• Plan printing and binding quantities according to approved requirements.

Printer & Vendor Coordination

• Coordinate with printers, binders, packaging vendors, and other production partners.
• Float RFQs, collect quotations, compare rates, and support cost negotiations.
• Monitor printer capacity, production schedules, material availability, and delivery commitments.

Cost Control & Procurement

• Analyse printing, paper, binding, lamination, packaging, and other production costs.
• Prepare comparative statements and support negotiations for competitive rates.
• Ensure production is carried out within approved budgets and agreed Unit Manufacturing Cost (UMC).

Production Monitoring

• Track jobs from file release and proof approval through printing, binding, packing, and dispatch.
• Follow up on pending jobs and highlight delays or bottlenecks to management.
• Maintain production MIS and provide regular status reports.

Quality Control

• Coordinate with printers and QC teams to ensure books meet approved specifications and quality standards.
• Monitor issues related to paper, colour, pagination, binding, lamination, trimming, packing, and finishing.
• Coordinate corrective action and rejection/rework wherever required.

Inventory & Material Management

• Monitor paper and other production material requirements.
• Coordinate with Warehouse and Procurement for timely availability of materials.
• Support stock planning and avoid excess inventory, shortages, and production interruptions.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with Editorial, DTP, Sales, MIS, IT, Finance, Warehouse, and Logistics teams.
• Resolve production-related queries and ensure smooth flow of information across departments.

Documentation & MIS

• Maintain production schedules, printer-wise allocation, cost comparisons, delivery reports, rejection reports, and vendor performance records.
• Prepare daily/weekly production reports and management updates.
• Ensure production data is accurately updated in relevant systems and trackers.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time production and delivery
• Production cost / UMC achievement
• Printer/vendor performance
• Quality and rejection percentage
• Production planning accuracy
• Material utilisation and wastage control
• Cost savings achieved
• Timely MIS and reporting
• Reduction in rework and production delays

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Graduate degree; preferably in Production, Printing Technology, Operations, or a related field.
• 4-7 years of relevant experience in publishing, printing, book production, or manufacturing.
• Good knowledge of offset/digital printing, book binding, finishing, paper, packaging, and production costing.
• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills.
• Good analytical, coordination, follow-up, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in MS Excel/Google Sheets and production MIS/ERP systems.
• Ability to manage multiple titles, vendors, and deadlines simultaneously.