Production Director Children's Publishing

Kidsbooks Publishing; United States; Remote; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing children's publishing company seeks a Production Director to oversee product development quality and innovation globally. This role requires managing complex timelines across international teams and sourcing quality materials while ensuring compliance with safety standards. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in production management and a passion for children's products.

Qualifications

• 20+ years experience in production management, preferably in children's publishing.
• Proven ability to manage complex timelines across remote teams.
• Existing relationships with Asian manufacturers, especially in China.

Responsibilities

• Manage global production timelines across diverse vendors and teams.
• Lead sourcing efforts with printers and negotiate pricing.
• Ensure compliance with CPSIA safety standards.

Skills

Production Management

Negotiation

Project Management

Quality Assurance

Interpersonal Skills

CPSIA Compliance

Job description

Are you a detail-obsessed production leader with a passion for beautiful, innovative children’s products? We are a fast-growing, children's publishing company seeking a Production Director to oversee and elevate the quality, efficiency, and innovation of our product development across the globe.

This is a critical, high-impact role, ideal for someone who thrives on juggling complexity, building strong international partnerships, and ensuring top-tier production standards — from concept to shelf.

What You’ll Do

• Manage global production timelines across a diverse network of vendors and teams spanning 16 time zones — from the UK and US to China.
• Lead sourcing efforts with printers and component factories, negotiating pricing, timelines, and quality standards.
• Travel to China as needed.
• Develop new novelty formats.
• Oversee physical and digital sampling.
• Ensure compliance with CPSIA safety standards.
• Collaborate with our Creative Director on format innovation and new product development.
• Support designers by translating creative concepts into production-ready specifications and clear templates.
• Handle a wide range of novelty formats: sound, silicone, touch & feel, pop-ups, lift-the-flap, print finishes like spot UV, glitter, foil, embossing, lenticular, and Pantone-specific colors.
• Collaborate with printers to design and produce pallet and point-of-purchase displays that exceed customer expectations and align with retail requirements.
• Conduct competitive product research in retail and online (including Amazon) to identify emerging trends, formats, and opportunities.
• Work cross-functionally with sales, editorial, creative, and finance to ensure products meet quality, budget, and market expectations.
• Be a responsive, reliable leader and communicator — a calm problem-solver in a fast-paced, creative environment.

What You Bring

• 20+ years experience in production management, preferably in children’s publishing, toys, or novelty product manufacturing.
• Proven ability to manage complex timelines and deliverables across remote teams and international vendors.
• Existing relationships and experience sourcing and working with Asian manufacturers, particularly in China.
• Deep familiarity with CPSIA, quality testing, and safety protocols.
• Technical knowledge of print manufacturing, specialty finishes, and novelty formats.
  Strong interpersonal skills — you're confident managing across cultures, time zones, and personality types.
• A high bar for quality, a drive for improvement, and a curiosity for how things are made.
  Experience in children’s novelty books, toys, or educational products.
• Love for books, learning, and delighting children through design and interactivity.