Senior Production Manager, Fablelistik

This role will be responsible for being a part of the creative process in production and manufacturing of custom, limited and collectible book editions. This “Think Tank” atmosphere will foster creativity & collaboration which is a must. The right candidate is able to manage the production/manufacturing of approximately 50 custom edition titles a year in varying complexity and formats (books and novelty). They will prepare preliminary and final cost estimates for each title. This role will also issue purchase orders for composition, separations, book/novelty components, text printing and binding. They will traffic production materials, manage quality at every stage of routing materials to finished book, and work with internal stake-holders to make sure books are produced/manufactured according to the pub schedule and budget. They will also collaborate with multiple on new formats, and using specs and effects in new and novel ways.

What you'll do:

• Collaborate and brainstorm with the Sales team to develop new formats and product ideas including novel uses for specs and effects. Scout new production trends and printing developments and share with
• the Sales Team
• Communicate with editors, designers, production editors, managing editors, other in-house departments
• and vendors as needed as it concerns schedules, query solutions and issues impacting budget and quality.
• Making recommendations in response to changed circumstances
• Request & Analyze cost quotes from vendors, prepare preliminary pricing estimates and final cost
• estimates. Issue production schedules for overseas and domestic titles. Evaluate and monitor production specs for adherence to budget. Recommend changes as needed to remain on budget
• Work with vendors for R&D and mock-ups for possible new product types
• Be comfortable researching and chasing ideas on new print techniques, unique materials and production methods
• Experience in the collectible, limited edition or Fine Press world
• Issue purchase orders to vendors for compositions, separations, book components, and manufacturing.
• Communicate paper requirements and review paper specs in a timely manner with paper manager
• Review, route, and color correct (as needed) production materials among Production Editorial, vendors, and other departments as needed. Provide design templates as necessary and work with design team on proofing needs
• Review and approve invoices

What you'll bring:

• Excellent knowledge of all facets of production and manufacturing with basic understandings of overall
• business of publishing and how production issues affect the success of a publishing company
• Strong project management skills with ability to prioritize
• Work collaboratively with others in a professional manner
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness in work.
• Creative thinker/problem-solver who is able to adapt to changes, delays and unexpected events
• Anticipates, identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Extensive knowledge of different formats and product types as well the capabilities of a wide variety of suppliers
• Comfortable using digital and web technologies
• Must be highly organized and detail minded
• Optional: knowledge of Google Workspace platform
• Optional: experience with Biblio

Ideal experience:

• 7-10 years of book and novelty production experience
• Work with 4/color interiors
• Has worked with highly spec’d and/or custom, limited or fine press edition books
• Book Printing/Production or equivalent work experience

This is a contracted position. The successful candidate will be employed through Headway Workforce Solutions at $44/hour.

Macmillan Publishers is the U.S. trade company that is part of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a large family-owned group of media companies headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Holtzbrinck Publishing Group's publishing companies include prominent imprints around the world that publish a broad range of award-winning books for children and adults in all categories and formats.

U.S. publishers include Celadon Books, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Flatiron Books, Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, The St. Martin's Publishing Group, and Tor Publishing Group. In the UK, Australia, India, and South Africa, companies in the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group publish under the Pan Macmillan name. The German publishing company, Holtzbrinck Deutsche Buchverlage, includes among its imprints S. Fischer, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Rowohlt, and Droemer Knaur.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are actively seeking job applicants who reflect a broad representation of differences, including race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, physical ability, neurodiversity, age, family status, economic background and status, geographical background and status, and perspective. We believe that the best companies reflect the incredible diversity in viewpoints, backgrounds, and identities of the world in their staffs, and are committed to inclusive hiring across departments and levels. The successful candidate for this position will be an employee of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC.