Assistant Manager/Manager, Production
Hachette Book Group is seeking a Production Assistant Manager/Manager to coordinate the production and manufacturing of one and full-color titles published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers imprint as well as some 4/c Adult Trade titles. Position level to be determined based on qualifications of the candidate. Either position will supervise one direct-report. This is a hybrid-work position.
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers publishes award-winning and diverse picture books and novels intended for babies through middle grade and young adult readers. Our Adult Trade program includes a wide variety of cookbooks, wellness, lifestyle, coffee-table, and gift books.
The ideal candidate will work closely with Managing Editorial, Editorial, and Design departments as well as outside vendors, both domestic and overseas, to produce high quality print and eBooks on aggressive schedules, within budget constraints. The candidate should be comfortable working in a highly collaborative but deadline-driven, team-oriented environment. The candidate will need to balance out-of-the-box thinking and creativity with the practicalities cost constraints. The candidate will have the ability to successfully execute the vision of the publishing division while taking proactive steps to avoid issues as well as possess the ability to react quickly and efficiently to unforeseen complications with the utmost grace and diplomacy.
The Assistant Manager position will supervise one direct report under supervision of the Director. The Manager position will supervise one direct report with minimal oversight from the Director. The Manager position will assist in organizing overall department work. They will also help to improve and update procedures as needed. Either position requires skills to mentor, support, motivate and mentor staff to foster good habits, teamwork, continuous improvement, and growth.
Responsibilities:
- Effectively and efficiently coordinates all phases of book production and manufacturing from composition, prepress, printing and binding through final delivery.
- Negotiates pricing throughout the development of a product through proper bidding and cost analysis.
- Collaborates with Publisher, Editorial, and Design to conceptualize and develop product, applying creative solutions to solve special product needs and budgetary constraints.
- Work closely with all vendors to manage supplier performance, to ensure schedule fidelity, a high level of quality, and budget requirements.
- Monitors production schedules through coordination with outside vendors as well as all relevant in-house departments to ensure on-time delivery at every stage of manufacturing.
- Manages prepress requirements, traffics and color correct proofs, and attends press checks, as needed.
- Prepare and update budgets and cost estimates both seasonally and on a title-by-title basis. Manager helps review seasonal manufacturing budgets for the entire imprint.
- Procure ebook production services and coordinates QA reviews.
- Attends and participates in regular production meetings. Assistant Manager and Manager attends and participates in regular management meetings with other departments in the imprint.
- Analyzes production specifications with an eye towards potential cost-saving opportunities. Communicates alternative specifications to editorial and design departments for discussion.
- Works independently, keeping management and imprint informed of any service disruption or vendor quality issues. Communicates such issues to the vendor, in collaboration with management as needed.
- Prepares cost estimates, purchase orders, and shipping instructions from HBG’s title management system.
- Diligently maintains accurate specification and scheduling information in Title Management.
- Supervises day-to-day duties of direct reports.
- Manager joins HBG-wide Production management team in the monitoring of vendor performance as well as the exploration and vetting of new vendors.
- Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications:
Assistant Manager possess knowledge of book production process for a diverse range of formats that is reinforced by 5+ years professional experience in the trade publishing industry.
Assistant Manager has leadership skills with some management experience preferred.
Manager possess knowledge of book production process for a diverse range of formats that is reinforced by 10+ years professional experience in the trade publishing industry.
Manager has leadership skills in managing a team, preferably with 3 to 5+ years management experience.
Both positions require:
- Strong experience with manufacturing in Asia, Europe, and the United States.
- Employs solid negotiating skills.
- Thorough, accurate, and articulate verbal and written communication skills.
- Possess a high level of organization and is detail oriented, creative, flexible, and able to prioritize.
- Collaborate well with a diverse team of internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to utilize technology to improve workflow.
- Strong color assessment skills with the ability to provide guidance to in-house team and appropriate instruction and color correction and retouching directives to outside suppliers.
- Proficiency in Excel, basic math, calculating, organizing, and presenting data.
- Skilled use of Mac platform.
- Comfortable with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign. Illustrator, Photoshop) as well as Adobe Acrobat. Adobe Workfront, a plus.
- Experience with Digital Asset Management systems.
- Experience with product safety, CPSIA compliance, state laws as well as European, Australian and Canadian regulations a plus.
- Seeks continuous improvement and innovative solutions.
- Maintains grace under pressure in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.
How to Apply: To be considered, please submit both a resume AND a cover letter. We ask for a cover letter so that we can understand how your skills or experience can apply to our open role.
As a leading book publisher, we believe that including and representing diverse voices in all aspects of our business is fundamental to what we do. Our publishing programs must reflect the broad range of backgrounds, experiences, political views and ideas that shape our society and publish books for all readers.
Hachette Book Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The compensation range for this position is $65,000 - $80,000. Salary can vary based on a number of factors including skills, experience, and location — talk with your recruiter to learn more. There may be times that you will be required (or requested) to work overtime due to the nature of your role or exceptional workload issues or special projects.
The following benefits are offered by the company: medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life, short-term and long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, health and dependent care FSA, commuter benefit plan, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, travel assistance, 401(k), discretionary bonus program, PTO (15 vacation days, 3 personal days, 10 holidays and generous sick leave) and group discounts on auto and home insurance and legal services. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification, hours worked and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.