
Sales Operations & Manufacturing Specialist
Ingram Content Group
Pitfield, Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes MK11, UK
•2 hours ago
•No application
About
- Company Description
- Ingram Content Group UK Ltd, is a leader in providing a comprehensive suite of inventory-free on-demand print and distribution services for books to the publishing industry. Lightning Source gives the publishing community options to print books in any quantity, one to 10,000, and provides its customers access to the most comprehensive worldwide bookselling channel in the industry.
- The world is reading, and it is our goal to connect as many people as possible to the content they want in the simplest ways. If you want to be part of a customer-centric team that strives for excellence, collaboration, innovation, we can’t wait to meet you!
- Job Description
- 37.5 hours per week
- Monday - Friday
- About the role
- Join our UK Sales Operations team, supporting print scheduling, quality reporting, and escalations—especially during peak production cycles. You'll manage the UK print rate card with Finance, track international orders with Global Connect partners, and assist US teams with product integration and sustainability initiatives.
- Responsibilities Overview
- Print Turnaround Time Coordination, Reporting, and Escalation
- Facilitate and report on the performance between LS UK Sales, IPS UK Sales, and Operations to communicate prioritization of customers and expedite orders (when needed) to meet contractual service levels.
- Work with LS /IngramSpark Sales and Ingram UK Wholesale teams to prioritize publisher and retailer order priorities
- Work with LS UK Manufacturing to effectively communicate forecast production capacity needs to align with sales goals and mitigate risks and delays.
- Work with LS /IngramSpark Sales and IPS UK Sales teams to set and communicate expected service levels based on UK Manufacturing capacity and print order backlog.
- Provide project management support and coordination during seasonal print spikes with tight deadlines and broad organizational visibility through on-time performance reporting.
- Liaisons between UK Sales, IPS UK Sales, and Manufacturing to prepare for, anticipate, and communicate seasonal publishing spikes and seasonal print cut-off dates including catalog releases, award season titles, and back-to-school or holiday publishing.
- Print Quality Reporting and Client Proof Process
- Works closely with LS UK Manufacturing and Operations to ensure the quality and integrity of products sold for the Lightning Source Sales organization.
- Understands current sales, support, and clientele needs as it relates to printing standards.
- Partners closely with UK Manufacturing teams to escalate and address print discrepancies and errors that are impacting sales or creating sales friction.
- Management of the LS UK and IPS UK publisher proof and sample process including validating and ingesting files and ensuring proofs and samples are produced (digital, or print) that meet expected client standards.
- Print Rate Card and Pricing Management
- Partner with LS UK Finance to develop and maintain pricing structures for a wide range of book formats including hardcover, paperback, and specialty editions.
- Partner with LS UK Finance to deliver to LS UK Sales custom cost estimates for large print runs based on specifications such as trim size, page count, materials, finishes, and binding.
- Work closely with LS UK Manufacturing, Finance, Sales, and Marketing to annually review and adjust customer pricing and standard rate cards as the business deems necessary.
- Coordinates changes with the US Print Services Manager to ensure global alignment for rate card changes.
- International and Vendor Print Management
- Managing international printer engagement especially related to publisher print in market orders routed to our Global Connect printer network. Some of these tasks will include order tracking and meeting expected service levels, facilitating quotes on special orders, and managing the print in market rate cards.
- Other Duties
Supports the US Sales Operations Team with
- UK integration of new product offerings and related rate card revisions, creation of product samples, and other support as required
- Serves as the local ICG UK sustainability point person to ensure sustainability and print regulations meet UK requirements. Coordinates information requests and responses from publishers especially related to RFP’s.
- Works closely with the US regulatory counterpart to ensure coordination of tasks.
- Other duties as assigned
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- In-depth knowledge of book printing processes especially print on demand, binding types (perfect, casebound), and finishing techniques.
- Strong analytical skills for estimating and pricing
- Proficiency with production management and scheduling tools (e.g., Excel, FileMaker, Smartsheet, Adobe Acrobat).
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with sustainable or eco-friendly manufacturing practices.
- Familiarity with freight and logistics processes.
- Attention to detail
- Ability to be flexible/multi-task based on workflow demands
- Ability to speak, write and read the English language
- Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintain them over time
- Ability to exercise effective judgment, sensitivity, creativity to changing needs and situations
- Ability to maintain consistent, punctual and regular attendance
- Ability to receive and give information in a courteous manner over the telephone, via electronic communication or in person
- Ability to engage in active listening with coworkers, management and clients/customers
- Knowledge of organization, operating procedures and policies of the company
- Ability to apply new knowledge, technology and procedure to job responsibilities
- Ability to meet and maintain performance objectives (standards)
- Ability to maintain full time work schedule during normal company operating hours
- Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business or related field or directly related year for year experience
- 3 years’ experience in operations and/or manufacturing, managing internal and/or external business relationships, and creating other support materials
- 3 years of experience in book production or manufacturing, preferably in a publishing house or print vendor setting
- Additional Information
Perks/Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Life Assurance
- Company Pension Scheme
- Company Sick Pay Scheme
- Continuous Professional Development and Training Opportunities
- Free onsite parking
- Free Hot drinks
- Snack and Drink Vending machines on site
- Service Awards