Product Development Specialist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• A two-year degree in Business Administration, Office Management, Project Management, or a related field; a combination of relevant education and professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• At least 2 years of experience in project management, business administration, and/or office management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access) or comparable database, spreadsheet, and word-processing applications.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, and project documentation.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including accuracy in data entry.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively within a team environment.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of scheduling, coordination, and workflow management in a professional environment, including experience with workflow management software or tools such as Planner, Asana, Trello, or comparable programs.
• Familiarity with basic project management principles, including task tracking, timelines, documentation, and stakeholder communication.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify issues, propose solutions, and follow through to resolution.
• Experience supporting cross-functional teams or leadership.
• Experience coding invoices, classifying expenses, or performing other financial-related tracking.
• Negotiating skills.
• Organizational awareness.
• Strategic thinking.

Responsibilities

• Provide routine administrative support for Print Production, including maintaining active and archived files, creating project folders, managing the production library, returning books to inventory, coordinating material storage, and maintaining accurate project documentation in electronic systems.
• Store master print copies in the HK warehouse according to archive procedures and manage the archiving, storage, and circulation of hard-copy editorial post-publication files.
• Verify, reconcile, code, and process assigned printer, shipping, and outsourcing invoices; resolve discrepancies and enter invoice data into appropriate systems.
• Maintain accurate production records, folders, and electronic file histories according to established procedures.
• Provide assigned administrative support to the VP of Product Development, including routine expense reports, the post-publication budget report process, customer survey data, and smaller administrative projects.
• Assist the Director, Print Production and Reprint Manager with print-book quality-control checks and receiving processes; ensure deliverables meet specifications and required proofing procedures are complete.
• Coordinate circulation and tracking of book-printer proofs, process revisions and approvals, ensure proofs are returned on schedule, and maintain tracking documentation.
• Support preparation of Trade & Professional reprint estimates, ensuring estimates reflect book specifications or evaluated alternatives that may reduce costs or accommodate schedule constraints.
• Process access-code-sheet reorder requests from the Inventory Department.
• Assist the Cover Design Specialist and Cover Director with generating reprint barcodes for back covers.
• Maintain and update production tracking tools and databases, including accurate project schedules, specifications, status information, and biweekly publication schedule updates.
• Coordinate communication and materials between internal teams and external vendors, distributing production files, specifications, and supporting documentation accurately and on time.
• Communicate with print vendors to gather and update print lead-time charts and vendor capability information for internal staff.
• Assist with documenting and maintaining production procedures, templates, and reference materials.
• Manage HK’s Information Center, including renewing and paying subscription invoices, cataloging and shelving books, and preparing annual budget recommendations for print and digital trade magazine subscriptions.
• Create CEO letters to authors for newly released books, arrange signatures, and ship the letters.

Benefits

• Standard increases for all HK staff.
• Merit increases and bonuses for employees who make extraordinary contributions.