Job Description
£29,000 a year
Job type
Fixed term contract
Full-time
Location
London•Hybrid work
Full job description
Production Assistant – Children’s (FTC until February 2027)
Do you have a can-do attitude, and relish the thought of being part of a busy team?
If so, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Penguin Random House Children’s Production department on a 12-month Fixed Term Contract.
The role
We’re looking for a Production Assistant to help produce backlist, co-edition and special sales orders on the Puffin and Random House Children’s lists, covering vital new voices, modern juggernauts like Philip Pullman, and incredible classics from Roald Dahl to The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
This team helps bring amazing children’s books to life. The role will offer you the chance to work on a greater variety of products than almost any other production job in the industry, facing fresh challenges every day, in a team which is friendly, supportive, and focused on employee development. Whether you already have some experience or are just keen to learn, this is a great place to start to seriously build your production career.
You will work closely with our internal teams, but also with reprographic and print suppliers across the world, including the UK, Europe and Asia – controlling pricing, scheduling and ordering through to final delivery and invoicing.
What you’ll bring
Although this is an entry level position and training will be given, a familiarity with and enthusiasm for children’s books will stand you in good stead.
Essential criteria:
A solid communicator and able to treat people with patience
Ready to learn to negotiate both pricing and schedules
Organised, detail-oriented, and driven to keep colleagues and suppliers on track
Flexible as you navigate new challenges and deadlines everyday
Able to self-motivate and numerate as you’ll be prioritising a busy inbox, building schedules, and calculating percentages .
Disability Confident
If you have opted into our disability confident scheme, the above are the essential criteria you must meet to be considered for our interview scheme. Please note, there may be occasions where the volume of applicants means we can’t take all eligible candidates to interview.
Application instructions
Please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the right candidate for the role by 11:59pm on 4 th January 2026.
Please ensure you include a cover letter, as it is a crucial part of our assessment process. The cover letter offers an opportunity to show how your experience and interests align with the role requirements. Typically, we expect the cover letter to be no more than one or two pages in length.
Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate.
We anticipate a two-stage interview process which will include a virtual first-stage interview and in-person second stage interview. We are happy to discuss this further with you throughout the recruitment process.
Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team.
We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.
Salary
£29,000 plus benefits.
Hybrid working
While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect the successful candidate to work from our London-based office a minimum of three days per week (including Tuesday) and offer the remaining two days to be worked remotely.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Production Assistant - Children's (FTC until February 2027) position is now open for candidates interested in the Manufacturing Jobs sector. This role in London offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Manufacturing Jobs is a plus.
