Book Production Consultant

About Book of the Month:

Book of the Month is a leading subscription book service dedicated to helping readers discover and connect with the best new books. Since 1926, we've fostered a love of reading and built a vibrant community of book enthusiasts. We pride ourselves on our curated selections, beautiful editions, and commitment to delivering exceptional reading experiences. Join our passionate team and help bring our books to life!

About the Role:

Book of the Month is seeking a meticulous and organized Book Production Consultant to manage the end-to-end production operations of our monthly selections and backlist titles. As a Book Production Consultant, you will be instrumental in ensuring the smooth and efficient transition of books from rights acquisition to the arrival of finished inventory. You will be the central point of contact for managing production schedules, vendor relationships and quality control, ensuring our members receive high-quality books on time.

What You'll Do:

• Oversee all aspects of book production operations, from initial planning to final inventory receipt.
• Collaborate closely with the editorial team following publisher rights acquisition to initiate the production process.
• Create and manage purchase orders (POs) for book printing and related services.
• Prepare and transmit all necessary files (e.g., final manuscript, cover art) and purchase orders to external printers.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with printing vendors, ensuring clear communication and adherence to quality standards and timelines.
• Monitor production schedules and proactively address any potential delays or issues.
• Coordinate the flow of information and materials between internal teams (editorial, marketing, operations) and external vendors.
• Support the preparation of requests for quotes (RFQs) and the evaluation of supplier bids.
• Gather and analyze supplier information, including pricing, lead times, and specifications.
• Ensure adherence to budget constraints throughout the production process.
• Implement and maintain quality control procedures to guarantee the accuracy and quality of finished books.
• Troubleshoot production-related problems and implement effective solutions.
• Maintain accurate records of all production activities and costs.
• Continuously evaluate and identify opportunities for process improvement and cost optimization within the production workflow.
• Manage the production of special edition books and other related materials.

Who You Are:

• A highly organized and detail-oriented individual with a strong understanding of book production processes.
• A proactive and self-motivated individual with a strong work ethic.
• Excellent project management and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in creating and managing purchase orders and working with external vendors.
• Knowledge of printing processes, materials, and quality control standards.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to proactively identify and address potential issues.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel in particular).
• Proficiency in NetSuite is a plus.
• Experience with inventory management and logistics is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management or a related field (e.g., Publishing, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management).
• 3-5 years of experience in book production or a related operations role within the publishing industry.