Hachette Book Group Careers

SUMMARY: 

Hachette Book Group is seeking a Production Manager to supervise one team member and oversee the manufacturing of titles published by Orbit, Basic Books Group and Avalon Publishing. The ideal candidate will have the background and expertise to manage a high volume of hardcover and paperback formats with varying workflow requirements, complexity, and scheduling needs. The position is located in Hachette’s New York office and will require collaborating with teams based in our Boulder, New York, Boston, and Indiana locations.

Working closely with in-house stakeholders as well as outside vendors, the ideal candidate will produce high quality print books on aggressive schedules, within budget constraints. Candidates need to be capable of working in a deadline-driven and team-oriented environment and must have exceptional organizational and follow-up skills with a keen eye for details. The candidate will assess and implement continuous process improvements that support strategic business goals and support our pillars as well as actively review and manage costs to support Hachette’s profitability targets.

This position requires strong leadership skills to support, motivate and mentor staff to foster good habits, teamwork, continuous improvement and growth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage a staff of 1, including reconciling all paid time off, completing annual performance reviews, addressing internal staff issues as well as concerns from outside the department, and maintaining a balanced workload across the department.
• Effectively and efficiently coordinates all phases of book manufacturing from delivery of files to the printer through bound books.
• Collaborates with Publisher, Editorial and Design to conceptualize and develop products, apply creative solutions to address special product needs, budgetary and scheduling constraints, inclusive of proposing cost-savings opportunities and alternate specification options.
• Manage cost estimating responsibilities in accordance with Hachette’s budgetary cycle processes as well as throughout the development of a title.
• Work closely with vendors to manage performance, schedule fidelity, quality standards, and budget requirements.
• Develop prepress and manufacturing plan inclusive of proofing needs.
• Procure and analyzes bids from the appropriate vendor base and awards the work appropriately.
• Ensure costs are tracked throughout the life of project and that deviations are promptly communicated to the necessary parties.
• Attends and participates in regular production meetings.
• Updates Title Management system with specifications, dates, costs, and other metadata promptly.
• Possess color assessment skills to provide guidance to designers and printers.
• Works independently, keeping direct supervisor informed of status, any service disruption or vendor quality issues.
• Prepares cost estimates, purchase orders and shipping instructions from HBG’s title management system.
• Supervises day-to-day duties of direct report.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Possess knowledge of book production process for a diverse range of formats that is reinforced by at least 8 years professional experience in the trade publishing industry.
• Proven leadership skills in managing a team.
• Strong experience with 1-color book manufacturing and special editions in Asia and North America.
• Employs solid negotiating skills.
• Thorough, accurate, and articulate verbal and written communication skills across departments and at every level of management.
• Have a high level of organization with attention to detail, an ability to prioritize, and manage complex projects.
• Ability to collaborate well with a diverse team of internal and external stakeholders. 
• Embraces technological advances in prepress and book manufacturing and new systems in-house. Can utilize technology where appropriate to improve workflow. 
• Proficiency in Excel, basic math, calculating, analyzing, organizing, and presenting data.
• Comfortable with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign. Illustrator, Photoshop) and Acrobat.
• Experience with Digital Asset Management systems.
• Familiarity with digital routing a plus.
• Drives continuous improvement and innovation by strategically refining process, and challenges established norms where appropriate.
• Proven ability to build supportive and constructive relationships within and outside of the organization; takes the lead in inspiring others to work together for mutual benefit.
• Maintains grace under pressure in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.