Production Controller

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Production Controller to join our team. We produce a diverse range of well-recognised Trade titles across Children’s and Adult and branded Licensing products, co-printed in numerous languages.

As a Production Controller, you will have the opportunity to develop and enhance your production skills, commercial awareness, and relationship management abilities. You will be involved in the creation and delivery of titles for both trade and special sales, working across various global markets. 

You will manage all aspects of your list at every stage, including product development, costing, scheduling, delivery, and quality control.

You will be an excellent communicator who can build and maintain relationships with sales, suppliers, and creative colleagues. You will understand the commercial significance of the Production role and enjoy the challenge of creatively negotiating to tight margins, in line with DK’s department strategy.

Your keen eye for detail will ensure you are comfortable working both independently and as part of a team on high-volume workloads.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing the creation and delivery of titles, both conventional and novelty formats.
• Overseeing product development, costing, scheduling, delivery, and quality control
• Collaborating with global sales markets to ensure product success
• Negotiating tight margins to align with department strategy

Essential Skills:

Previous experience in a similar role within book publishing Production

Knowledge and experience handling print scheduling, spend, and placement

Expertise in 4 colour print processes and co-edition printing

Understanding of product safety concerns and processes (safety testing and novelty product experience is beneficial for Children’s titles, though training will be provided)

Enthusiastic and proactive approach to work

Excellent time management and communication skills

Commercially aware and detail-oriented

Thorough approach to administration

Ability to manage high workloads in a demanding environment

To apply, please submit your most recent CV and cover letter.

Closing date: 15th October 2025

We have a range of benefits to reflect our commitment to our people, some of which are:

• 25 days paid holiday entitlement in year one, plus bank holidays

• Generous Pension Scheme

• Volunteering policy and charity matching

• Employee Assistance Programme

• 60% discount on company books
• Cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership
• Flex Fridays (1pm Finish*)

• Shopping Discounts

• Up to 30 days remote working from abroad*

And we plant a tree for every new employee to our business

DK is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the varied communities that read our books across the world. We encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of age, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or social background. DK is proud to announce that we have adopted The Halo Code.

DK is a member of the disability confident scheme. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

DK supports flexible working and has introduced a new ‘smart-working’ policy with a hybrid approach of working weekly from home and in DK’s office.

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade, but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews or undertaking internships. For more information, visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org

*Subject to certain criteria being met.

About Our Company:

We believe in the power of discovery. That's why we create books for everyone that explore ideas and nurture curiosity about the world we live in. From first words to the Big Bang, from the wonders of nature to city adventures, you will find expert knowledge, hours of fun and endless inspiration in the pages of our books. 

We are the world's leading illustrated publisher and a member of the Penguin Random House division of Bertelsmann, creating cutting-edge design and stunning visual books for the whole family. We are passionate about inspiring curiosity and bring people to books through their thirst for knowledge. With a global book loving community of over 800 colleagues in the UK, US, Germany, India, China, Spain and Australia, we produce books in over 100 countries and over 60 languages. Find out more on dk.com.

 Company: Dorling Kindersley Limited | Job ID: 283339