UK SENIOR PRODUCTION CONTROLLER 

Are you highly organised, commercially minded and confident managing complex production schedules? Can you keep multiple children’s novelty projects on track, on budget and to the highest quality standards? You’ll work across imprints, teaming up with editorial, design, suppliers and production colleagues to bring engaging products to life.

Quarto creates inspiring books for adults and children around the world. In this role, you’ll help us deliver imaginative, high-quality products that children and families will love.

Contract  

Permanent 

Salary

From £38,000 per year 

Closing date 

Friday 17th July 2026

Working hours 

Your standard working hours will be 35 hours per week with core working hours between 10am and 4pm. We currently operate a discretionary hybrid model, with three days in our London office and two working from home.

About the role 

As Senior Production Controller, you’ll take the lead on production across your imprints, with a focus on imaginative novelty children’s products. Working with creative teams, suppliers and production colleagues, you’ll help bring complex, engaging books to life while keeping projects on schedule, within budget and to the right quality and safety standards. You’ll also share your knowledge across lists and product lines, helping the team solve problems and deliver brilliant products for children and families.

What you will be involved in:

• Taking care of the end-to-end production of children’s titles, from handover through to publication, keeping schedules, budgets and specifications on track
• Creating and maintaining agreed schedules, spotting risks early and working with internal teams and suppliers to find solutions
• Working with printers, component suppliers and manufacturers to source materials, confirm costs, monitor progress and support high-quality delivery
• Keeping a close eye on project costs, purchase orders, repro and safety spend across your projects
• Keeping communication flowing between all stakeholders so everyone knows what’s happening and when
• Reviewing proofs, samples and production materials, and raising any quality, safety or timing concerns as needed
• Maintaining clear records and sharing updates on title status, costs, risks and key milestones for your area
• Working in partnership with Product Development Lead and Creative to collaborate on pre-production development

 About you 

You will be an experienced production controller with a proven track record of safe and successful product delivery. You will be highly organized and detail-oriented with a deep understanding of children’s product and safety testing.

You will be independent and resourceful with a calm, solution focused approach that inspires confidence and trust. You will

You will be able to show you can: 

• Successfully manage a busy list with multiple formats and customers in a co-edition publishing environment
• Bring knowledge and experience of global print and component suppliers 
• Demonstrate experience and knowledge of toy safety testing standards and workflows
• Show commercial awareness of product costs and profitability 
• Be solution focused and creative around problem solving
• Mentor and support colleagues by sharing your knowledge and experience
• Always keep your management team well informed and escalate appropriately

What we can offer

A supportive, open environment with development opportunities, as well as the following benefits:  

• 25 days paid holiday per year (increasing up to 30 days per year), plus bank holidays and Christmas closure days.
• Cultural appreciation day (to honour a cultural holiday which is significant to you, separate to your holiday entitlement)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Staff discounts on selected shops, retailers, and restaurants
• Health Cash Plan
• Pension
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Summer hours
• Free books scheme
• Active social and diversity committees  
• Excellent and welcoming office facilities in a fantastic location

How to apply 

Please send a CV and cover letter to talent@quarto.com by the closing date and state the vacancy name in the email subject title.

Ensure you cover the following:

• Your motivation and what appeals to you about this particular role
• What key skills, experience and achievements you have that you think are relevant to this role, and why. Please provide examples of how you have used or demonstrated those.
• Where you saw the vacancy advertised

All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for the vacancy.

We employ individuals based on their abilities and welcome applicants from all backgrounds regardless of disability, ethnic origin, gender, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, belief, age, or sexual orientation. 

As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we aim to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible for disabled people. Therefore, we encourage you to inform us of any reasonable adjustments you may require during your interview process. Please note, you only need to disclose information that you are comfortable sharing in order for us to accommodate your request.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to respond to candidates selected for interview. We will keep applications on file for 6 months should a suitable vacancy arise. If you’d rather we didn’t, please let us know with your application. 

May close early due to a high volume of applications. Don't miss out—submit your application today!