Job Description

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Education Manufacturing team as our new Production Controller. You will be responsible for the Trade Fiction list, encompassing both frontlist and backlist titles, as well as Co-editions, Specials, preparing materials for Bookfairs, and all related ancillary materials. The role involves supporting the Senior Controllers and the Manufacturing Manager in achieving defined objectives relating to cost efficiency, product quality, and production schedules.



Key responsibilities in this role will include:


Compile new project estimates at Proposal, Interim and Final budget stages. Where applicable compare and negotiate costs from various approved suppliers so that the viability of projects can be determined. To set, monitor and maintain schedules in order to meet target publication and delivery dates. On reprint Order and Proceeds, action within agreed SLA to ensure reprint is delivered on time and in accordance with the tender agreement for schedule and price. Compile reprint estimates when required, compare, and, where applicable, negotiate costs from various approved suppliers in order to assess viability of reprinting. Order when required suitable materials for non-standard manufacture. Have responsibility for publicity workflow, allocating work to other production colleagues where appropriate. Ascertain invoice details are correct before validation. Approve supplier invoices and monitor costs and delivery quantities to ensure proper cost control is maintained. Support Senior Controllers and Manufacturing Manager in all areas of Manufacturing in order to maximise the development of the team. Provide cover to team members during absence and holidays. Participate in cross-team business improvement and cross-team projects as required. Responsible for the daily production management of own list areas within the new and back lists, adhering to quality, schedule and budget requirements and building up knowledge of the production processes including new developments within the industry and developing the ability to inform on cost saving opportunities.

We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have/be:


Knowledge/experience of litho and digital production processes High degree of attention to detail and numerical accuracy Excellent communication skills, both oral and written Problem solving skills that are able to elicit information, ascertain root cause, and facilitate path to success. Able to manage multiple and conflicting priorities and projects at once--possess good decisions on prioritization; and ability to monitor schedules and manage workflow Relationship builder and ability to work with various internal stakeholders, up to manager level Supplier management skills Familiarity with trade publishing, with a particular emphasis on fiction titles (Desirable) Familiarity with foreign rights, special sales, repro and producing book fair materials (Desirable)

BENEFITS

We care about work/life balance here at OUP. With this in mind we offer 25 days' holiday that rises with service, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure (3-days) and a 35-hour working week. We are open to discussing flexibility in respect to working patterns, dependent on role. We also have a great variety of active employee networks and societies.



We help make your money go further by contributing to your pension up to 12%, offering loans and savings schemes through our partnership with Salary Finance, in addition to travel to work schemes and access to a wide range of local discounts.



This role comes with a discretionary annual payment.



Please see our Rewards and Recognition page for more information.

QUERIES

Please contact cynthia.yue@oup.com with any queries relating to this role.



Please note this advert may be removed before the advertised end date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.



Division:Technology and Operations
Department:Manufacturing
Closing Date:12 August 2025
Salary:Up to 27,000 dependent on skills and experience
Location:OUP UK - Oxford
Postcode:OX2 6DP
Full Time / Part Time:Full Time
Ref:4785