Production Assistant

We are looking for someone who loves books to join the Production Department at Pan Macmillan as a Production Assistant (full time contract).

You will be working from day one in co-ordinating the production of black and white titles, co-editions and reprints, for both print and digital formats. You’ll be responsible for negotiating prices and schedules, deal directly with suppliers based in Europe and Far East to make sure books are produced on time and budget and meet quality standards.

You will also provide administrative support to the department and communicate clearly and effectively with Editorial, Design, Rights and Sales teams.

You should be an enthusiastic, self-motivated and highly practical individual, with excellent time management, numeracy skills and a flexible resourceful attitude. Some knowledge of print production would be welcomed, but isn’t essential.

This role is based in our King’s Cross, London office.

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter confirming your salary expectations and quoting reference PAN/036/14 via our online recruitment site: http://jobs.macmillan.com

All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for the vacancy.

Closing date: 26th September 2014

Key tasks:

• Order and monitor reprints from confirmation to final delivery for all markets
• Ensure orders, materials and any communication to suppliers is clear, accurate, complete and on time
• Produce accurate costings to aid in business decisions from acquisition to final costings, as required
• Negotiate schedules, specifications and prices with chosen external suppliers in conjunction with senior members of the team
• Agree, monitor and report schedules and approvals in-house (including external customers via in-house contacts)
• Check and code invoices carefully and accurately
• Supply data and information to other internal departments including quotes, schedules, files etc
• Ensure filing/product records are accurate and up to date
• Other tasks relevant to position as required

Key relationships:

• Maintain good relationships with internal departments, particularly relevant editorial and design teams, foreign rights and sales, distribution, and stock control
• Maintain good relationships with suppliers

Qualifications:

• Maths GCSE

Skills/knowledge:

Administrative skills                                                                                                                           

• PC/specific software skills
• Negotiating
• Financial awareness
• Project planning skills
• Organising & planning
• Written and oral communication skills
• Numeracy skills
• Basic understanding of print processes and reprographic processes
• Interpersonal skills

Experience:

• General office skills
• Proven ability to prioritise tasks
• Experience in time management
• Basic knowledge of print processes

Technical Capability

Uses technical / job knowledge and experience to meet and exceed job requirements / customer expectations.  Efficiently manages workload and projects within set timelines and to agreed budget, achieving set objectives. 

Customer Focus (internal and external customers)

Nurtures relationships by recognising and delivering on internal and external customer’s needs and opinions.  Helps others to understand the implications of their decisions. Develops and sustains productive internal and external customer relationships.

Innovation &  Influencing

Embraces creativity, innovation and is open to new ideas. Innovates to improve current working practices / products / technologies to provide business opportunities and results.  Successfully influences others to accept and support an idea/proposal/plan.

Problem Solving

Takes initiative to identify current and potential problems and determines the best solution. Identifies the cause of problems and key issues through investigation; identifies effective, logical and practical solutions. 

Goal Setting/Short term Planning (incorporating decision making, planning and organisation, and tenacity)

Achieves results by setting goals using quality planning, analysis and decision making skills.  Sets very structured plans and thinks through all possible contingencies.