Production Specialist

Are you seeking a career that offers the satisfaction of seeing your work in print and the opportunity to shape how that work is made? Do you want to be part of a publishing team that values your ideas, versatility, and problem-solving skills? At Sourcebooks, we’re not just making books, we’re redefining what’s possible in publishing. With hundreds of national bestsellers and industry awards, we’re a fast-growing, entrepreneurial company filled with bold thinkers and difference makers.

We are currently seeking a Production Specialist to join our Publishing Operations team. Reporting to the Senior Print Production Manager, this mid-level role is ideal for someone with 3–5 years of experience who is ready to contribute to the development of high-quality frontlist titles and expand their impact across multiple imprints and initiatives.

This is an opportunity to build real production expertise across a wide range of projects. We’re looking for someone eager to take ownership of layout production, ask the right questions, bring attention to detail, and collaborate deeply with cross-functional teams. The right person will understand the value of precision, communication, curiosity and will be excited by the future possibilities in template development, workflow innovation, and design-forward thinking.

What you’ll do:

• Versatile Workflow Management: Adapt to the unique needs of each title, demonstrating flexibility, organization, and composure under pressure.
• Layout Production: Complete complex page corrections and execute precise layouts for a variety of frontlist titles.
• Template Usage & Development: Use existing templates effectively and support the evolution of new templates and layout standards.
• XML Workflow Support: Ensure clean XML workflows and preflight files for printer-ready output.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Editors, Designers, Production Editors, and Marketers to align schedules, priorities, and project goals.
• Quality Assurance: Deliver consistent, high-quality page layouts that reflect our commitment to author care and reader experience.
• Process Documentation & Improvement: Maintain accurate production records while contributing to the refinement of workflows and best practices.

What you bring:

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Experience in a publishing production environment, with expertise in managing high-quality production processes.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with team members and coordinate across departments.
• Proficient in Macintosh platform and Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Experience with additional book formatting tools like Vellum is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills for clear and concise interaction with cross-functional teams.
• Must Love Books!

This is an hourly, non-exempt position with a range of $21.63 - $24.04/hourly.  We determine starting pay based on a thorough evaluation of job-related factors, including geographic location, market conditions, relevant experience, training, and education. This process ensures a fair and competitive salary that aligns with both the company and the candidate’s qualifications.  

This position can be hybrid in Naperville or NYC, or fully remote in the following states ONLY: Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.  Travel not required but there may be opportunities to attend industry conferences.