Production Manager, Penn State University Press

Requirements

• Candidates must have:
• Experience either in scholarly publishing or with book production workflows
• Experience with print production, including print estimating, vendor management, and manufacturing oversight
• Working proficiency in Adobe InDesign, including the ability to make minor text and layout corrections
• Experience working with external vendors, negotiating, and managing production budgets
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
• If filled as University Press Specialist - Advanced Professional, this position requires:
• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Required Certifications:
• None
• If filled as University Press Specialist - Senior Professional, this position requires:
• 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Important Application Information:
• Applicants must submit a cover letter addressing their interest and relevant experience, in addition to a resume.
• Additional Information:
• The Production Manager will work on-site at Penn State's University Park campus and join the Penn Sta

Benefits

Additional Information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants . Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants . POSITION SPECIFICS Penn State University Press seeks a Production Manager to play a central role in the production of scholarly books and digital publications. Penn State University Press is renowned for publishing groundbreaking scholarship in the arts and humanities, as well as regional trade titles. This position oversees the production workflow for books across all imprints, ensuring projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to established quality standards. This position manages production planning, cost estimating, scheduling, and print vendor coordination. The Production Manager works closely with vendors and internal staff across departments to ensure projects meet the Press's standards for quality, schedule, and budget. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Print Estimating, Specifications & Bidding Prepare print estimates and detailed manufacturing specifications for offset and short-run digital printing, in consultation with the Art Director. Solicit, collect, and evaluate printer and vendor quotes. Process vendor invoices and maintain expense data in FileMaker. Print Management & Manufacturing Oversight Serve as the primary contact for printers for offset and short-run digital printing projects. Manage routing, correction, and approval of printer proofs. Identify opportunities for cost savings; seek out new vendors, evaluate print samples, and check references. Track print and delivery progress and resolve production and shipping issues to avoid schedule delays. Advise on reprint decisions for backlist titles based on design, production, and manufacturing specifications. Composition & Prepress Oversight Coordinate composition and prepress with external vendors, preparing and transmitting materials and specifications. Route proofs, samples, and correction sets between compositors, the Art Director, and the Production Coordinator. Request and post final packaged InDesign files and printer PDFs. Scheduling & Workflow Management Create, monitor, and revise production schedules for all book projects in production. Lead regular scheduling meetings and communicate updates to key stakeholders. Design & File Support Support the Art Director in maintaining overall design and production standards for all books and press-related visual materials. Make minor text and layout corrections during production. Prepare and manage cover materials and production folders for designers. Additional Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Maintain production records, schedules, and print specifications in FileMaker and shared systems. Respond to internal and external inquiries related to production status. Review project files prepared for archiving by the Production Assistant and provide final approval.

Your Match

How well this role fits your profile.

Company Intel

What employees say

Worked at Penn State University? Share your experience