Job Title: Operations Controller
Department: Publishing Operations
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Location: Basingstoke

Are you ready to play a key role in connecting our books with readers worldwide? We are looking for an Operations Controller to join our Publishing Operations team in Basingstoke. You will manage book inventory, coordinate with print suppliers, and ensure our titles are produced and delivered smoothly across every publication.

Your team:
You will join a small, collaborative team that manages stock control across several warehouses for our entire book list. As an essential part of our supply chain, the team responds to new operational demands daily, ensuring our books are printed, stored, and delivered reliably to customers and readers worldwide.

Your role:
In this role, you will play an active part in ensuring our publishing list achieves its full market potential. Reporting to the Senior Operations Manager, you will manage essential stock forecasting, supply chain logistics, and live inventory data. Acting as a central liaison, you will communicate daily with printers, warehouse teams, and publishing colleagues to coordinate book deliveries efficiently.

Your key responsibilities:

• Stock control & replenishment: Monitor warehouse stock levels and place print orders on time.

• Data reporting & inventory management: Collect, analyse, and share sales and invoicing data with internal teams.

• Meeting organization & administration: Attend weekly print meetings, contribute operational updates, and record accurate written minutes.

• Operational administration: Manage administrative tasks for contracts, rights reversions, Print-on-Demand (POD) titles, and the digital stock catalogue.

• Supply chain communication: Work closely with external print suppliers, distribution partners, and internal publishing teams.

Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed:

• Clear communication: Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and promptly in writing and in spoken conversations with internal teams and external suppliers.

• Practical problem-solving: Ability to identify operational issues quickly and apply clear, logical solutions.

• System & data management: Experience using complex databases, electronic stock systems, and spreadsheets to manage operational data.

• Time management & prioritisation: Ability to organize tasks, manage multiple priorities, and meet strict deadlines.

• Team collaboration: A cooperative approach to working with colleagues and building a supportive environment.

• Adaptability & learning: A willingness to learn new software systems and adapt to changing operational requirements.

• Openness & accountability: A foundation of clear communication, taking responsibility for assigned tasks and outcomes.

• Inclusion and representation: An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.

• Community: A collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.

• Curiosity: A genuine drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.

• Integrity: A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.

What you’ll get in return:
In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.

Salary: £30,000 to £31,000

Note on salary: The offered salary is dependent on experience and expertise. We benchmark our ranges to ensure fair, competitive compensation that grows with your impact.

Closing date: 17 September 2026

This is a full time, permanent role, and will be based in our offices in Basingstoke, with some flexibility to work from home each week.

Some of the benefits we offer:

• 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + bank holidays

• Generous pension scheme

• Discounted private medical insurance or health cash plan

• Group income protection scheme

• Enhanced family pay and leave

• Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)

• 2 volunteer days per year

• 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)

• Season ticket loan/advance

• Cycle to work scheme

How to apply & eligibility:

• Our process: All applications must be submitted via our careers site to be considered. We are unable to accept CVs or applications sent via email.

• Our timelines: Because we review every application thoroughly and with care, our shortlisting process can take some time. We appreciate your patience and will be in touch as soon as we have an update on your application.

• Right to work: All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.

Our commitment to diversity & inclusion:
At Pan Macmillan, we are committed to publishing a wide range of voices that reflect the full breadth of the communities we serve. Joining us means playing an active role in bringing our titles to life as part of a team that champions inclusion at every level. We are dedicated to building a workplace that is as diverse and welcoming as the stories we tell, ensuring all perspectives are celebrated across everything we do.

We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve. You can read our full Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pledge here.

Disability confident scheme:
As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled candidates and people with long-term health conditions, aiming to offer an interview to everyone who meets the essential criteria for the role and chooses to apply under the scheme. The essential criteria can be found under our ‘Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed’ section.

Please note, some of our vacancies attract an exceptionally high volume of applications. In these circumstances, to ensure a fair and focused process for everyone, we may need to limit the overall number of interviews. Where this happens, we will look closely at who most closely aligns with the requirements to select the candidates applying under this scheme who best meet the essential criteria, in line with official government guidance.

Please remember that you are never required to disclose a disability to us, and you only need to share what you feel comfortable with.

Adjustment & support:
We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process. If you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements, please contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at kayelle.danyluk@macmillan.com.

Privacy notice:
All personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice here. Please read this notice before submitting your application.