United States onlyThe Print Production Specialist oversees all manufacturing aspects of the physical book process and manages printer relationships. This role involves collaborating with editorial and production teams to determine printing specifications and resolve any production issues. The ideal candidate will exhibit strong attention to detail, the ability to collaborate with diverse teams, in-depth knowledge of the book manufacturing process, and effective coordination with external vendors to ensure timely delivery of finished products. This role requires experience in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for print specifications, production schedules, and quality assurance. Coordinate with the project team regarding print schedules and print requirements. Work with designers and conduct a thorough review of layouts, artwork, and print-ready PDFs before submission to printers, ensuring accuracy in size, formatting, and color. Evaluate and authorize printer proofs, performing final quality checks. Collaborate effectively with the project team to resolve any unforeseen issues and to ensure the highest quality of the final product is received. Manage various print jobs for multi-page books, some highly illustrated children’s books, reprints, and custom publishing projects. Manage reprints: get pricing, update layout files, track through the editorial team for approval, and re-archive. Assign and record ISBN and UPCs for new products; create barcodes.
- Responsible for managing print vendor relationships. Requests competitive bids and negotiates pricing (unit cost) to stay within the budget of the product plan. Accountable for awarding the print job to the vendor who best meets the product requirements. Work to build and maintain domestic and foreign print vendor relationships. Responsible for identifying and engaging new print vendor partners to test small print runs.
- Manage costs and expenses. Provide the project team with a pricing matrix to make sound financial decisions that work best within budget. Tracks and reports all changes in manufacturing costs against approved purchase orders for each title.
- Keep organized files in the asset management system. Upload printer PDFs to project folders. Accurately track and document print specs for each product and its reprint.
COMPETENCIES & SKILLS:
Pre-Press File Review and Preparation | Cost Estimation and Analysis | Quality Inspection | Digital Asset Management | Color Management | Print Design | Digital literacy | | Print Design | Color Management | Internal Communications | Layout Design | Presentations/Presenting | Print Management | Print Production | Problem Solving | Staff Training Graphic Design Software | Presentation Software | Team Collaboration Software | Powerpoint | Presentations/Presenting | Vendor Management | Editorial Management | Order Tracking
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, art, or design, or 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing-related field.
- 2+ years of experience in the book manufacturing process.
- Strong communications and organizational skills and extensive knowledge of paper specifications and sourcing.
- Experience in managing manufacturing book projects in a high-volume operation to deliver quality products in a timely manner.
- Knowledge of graphic design, particularly in book layout and production, and current printing technologies (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator).
- Experience managing and maintaining working relationships with diverse vendors around the world.
- Occasional travel to Exton, PA, is required.
- Exemplify and live our core values of humility, passion, and integrity.
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Profit-Sharing
- Medical Leave
- Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
- Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
- Training & Development
- Work From Home
- Wellness Resources
