We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Production Controller to join our Vintage Production team on a fixed term contract basis from October 2026 to April 2027. This role will be based at our Embassy Gardens office in London, and is offered with hybrid working (2-3 days per week onsite).
We publish some of the world’s most thought-provoking, unforgettable, beautifully designed books – from contemporary trailblazers to our red-spined VINTAGE Classics. Our broad family of authors ranges from world-class prize-winners to brand new, emerging talent, from Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan and Haruki Murakami, to Nigella Lawson and Tim Spector, to Kae Tempest and Booker winners David Szalay and Samantha Harvey.
As a Senior Production Controller, you will manage production of the Vintage Paperback list, working primarily on mono titles, and some full colour books. You will also produce some lead editions from the broader Vintage imprints. You will work within a highly collaborative team and give production advice and support to the division.
Key Responsibilities:
- Cost and schedule titles to deliver on time, to budget and to high quality.
- Manage relationships and negotiate with key external suppliers - printers, repro houses, and typesetters - finding solutions to manufacturing, costing and scheduling challenges.
- Collaborate with internal teams across Editorial, Design, Sales, Inventory, Finance and Ebooks teams.
- Use your production expertise to solve problems and resolve issues where they arise
- Maintain complete and accurate information in Biblio, our publishing system.
- Use your understanding of the needs and goals of the division to inform your decision making.
Oversee archive and e-book files, keeping our digital editions on track.
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What you’ll bring
Essential criteria:
- Previous experience in a Production Controller role.
- Proven experience of mono printing as well as a range of pre-press and digital workflows.
- Ability to organise information effectively, keeping track of all information relating to your printings, suppliers, and processes.
- Comfortable with prioritising and managing a busy workload, with a calm, positive and flexible approach.
- Team player but equally happy to work independently on your own initiative.
Desirable criteria:
- Experience and/or knowledge of colour printing.
Experience of using Biblio.
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Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and Cover Letter outlining your reasons for interest in this role by 23:59 on Sunday 7th June 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the advert may close at any time. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
AI
Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team.
We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.
Salary
The salary band for this opportunity is £34,000-£38,000 depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus benefits.
Hybrid working
While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect that you will work from the Embassy Gardens office in London a minimum of 2-3 days per week, and be available to attend on other days as required by the business.
