Production Controller

Job title:  Production Controller
Department:  Regional Publishing Services
Location: Johannesburg 
Salary:  Market Related
Reporting to: Production Services Manager
Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 5 May 2026

About Springer Nature
Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and follow @SpringerNature.

About Macmillan Education South Africa
Macmillan Education South Africa, part of Springer Nature, is a leading provider of innovative learning and teaching solutions across the country. With a strong heritage in educational publishing, we support learners, educators, and institutions through high-quality curriculum-aligned content, digital learning platforms, and teacher development resources.

Our work spans schools, TVET colleges, and higher education, where we are committed to improving learning outcomes and empowering educators with tools that make a meaningful impact in the classroom. By combining global expertise with deep local insight, Macmillan Education South Africa continues to shape the future of education and contribute to lifelong learning.

The Role
Are you organised, detail driven, and confident managing multiple production workflows? We are looking for a proactive Production Controller who can coordinate print and digital production processes from start to finish.

In this role, you will manage schedules, ensure quality and accuracy, maintain cost control, and collaborate closely with internal teams and external suppliers. You will play a key role in delivering best quality educational products on time and within budget.

The Team
The Regional Publishing Services team is committed to operational excellence and smooth delivery across all production stages. We work collaboratively, adapt quickly, and continuously refine our processes to support high quality learning content.

The Requirements

•    Printing, production, or related qualification (print and/or digital)

•    Undergraduate degree in publishing studies or relevant field (advantageous)

•    Minimum 4 years’ work experience, including at least 2 years in a production or publishing environment

•    Strong project management experience, with the ability to run multiple projects simultaneously

•    Proficiency in Adobe applications/DTP software (InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator)

•    Experience with book production, print workflows and digital production processes

•    Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines

Essential skills and abilities

•    Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

•    Analytical and problem solving ability

•    Ability to manage costs and work within agreed budgets

•    Collaborative, proactive and solutions driven working style

•    Ability to filter information and prioritise effectively in a high volume environment

•    Strong personal effectiveness skills (independence, accountability, follow through)

•    Technical proficiency in key production and software tools

•    Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment

The Key Responsibilities
•    Manage and coordinate production processes for print and digital projects
•    Drive timelines and manage schedules to ensure all deliverables are met
•    Manage production budgets and costs, ensuring financial accuracy
•    Oversee typesetting and text design workflows to ensure quality and consistency
•    Liaise with internal teams and external suppliers to keep production running smoothly
•    Support freelancer onboarding, briefing, workload scheduling and quality checks
•    Ensure all products are delivered on time, within budget and to required quality standards
•    Maintain production master files, data records and version control

To be considered for the position, please send your CV and a cover letter explaining your interest in this role.

Applications: Candidates who are interested in this position and who meet the requirements, may apply through the provided link. If you have not been contacted within a two-week period of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

NB: In terms of meeting the company’s goals with respect to Employment Equity, people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

SN-Being Resilient, SN-Collaboration, SN-Communicates Effectively, SN-Decision Quality, SN-Interpersonal Awareness, and SN-Operational Excellence

Job Posting End Date: