Production Supervisor (Journals Publishing)
Durbanville, South Africa | Posted on 21/02/2024
As a Production Supervisor in the scholarly publishing industry, you will oversee the language editing, proofreading, galley preparation, and publishing processes to ensure the timely and accurate production of peer-reviewed academic works. Your role involves managing a team of language editors, proofreaders, and production specialists, coordinating workflow, and ensuring adherence to publishing standards and timelines. You will collaborate closely with authors, editors, and other stakeholders to address any editorial or production-related queries or issues, maintaining high-quality standards throughout the publication process. Your leadership will ensure our content meets the highest standards of academic integrity and accessibility.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Team Management: Supervise a team of language editors, proofreaders, and production staff, including assigning tasks, providing guidance, and monitoring workflow to ensure the timely completion of editorial and production tasks.
- Quality Assurance: Ensure that all edited and proofread manuscripts meet high-quality standards in language, grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity, and adherence to journal style guidelines.
- Editorial Coordination: Coordinate the language editing and proofreading process for submitted manuscripts, assign tasks to editors and proofreaders, and oversee revisions based on author feedback and editor recommendations.
- Galley Proofing: Manage the galley proofing process, including reviewing typeset proofs for accuracy, consistency, formatting errors, and adherence to journal specifications before final publication.
- Publication Management: Oversee the publication process, including coordinating with authors, reviewers, editors, and production teams to ensure that accepted manuscripts progress through the production pipeline according to the publication schedule, ensuring deadlines are met.
- Strategic Production Planning: Utilise strong planning and skills to develop and implement production schedules, ensuring timely publication of all content. Anticipate potential bottlenecks or challenges and plan contingencies accordingly.
- Workflow Optimisation: Identify opportunities to streamline language editing, proofreading, and production workflows, implement efficient processes, and leverage technology or tools to enhance productivity and quality.
- Training and Development: Provide training and coaching for language editors, proofreaders, and production staff to enhance their skills, knowledge, and proficiency in scholarly publishing standards and practices.
- Quality Control Procedures: Establish and enforce quality control procedures, such as style guide adherence, consistency checks, and quality assurance measures, to maintain the integrity and accuracy of published content.
- Collaboration: Collaborate with editorial, production, and publishing teams to ensure effective communication, coordination, and alignment of goals and objectives across departments.
- Performance Evaluation: Conduct regular performance evaluations for team members, provide feedback on performance, and identify areas for improvement or professional development.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in People Management, Production Management, Publishing, Journalism, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in production management within the scholarly publishing industry, with a proven track record of leading teams to success.
- At least two years of experience in a supervisory role, relevant work experience and demonstrated leadership abilities.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex production schedules with precision. Must be adept at prioritising tasks, allocating resources effectively, and managing timelines to meet publishing deadlines.
- The ability to motivate and coach team members effectively.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Knowledge of scholarly publishing processes and best practices, including peer review workflows and editorial standards.
- Proficiency in publishing software such as MS Office (Word and Excel)
- Proficiency in publishing software and platforms, such as Open Journal Systems (OJS) or Editorial Manager.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.
- A commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and integrity in academic publishing.
In applying for this position, please attach the following:
- Names, email addresses and telephone details of three referees we have permission to contact.
Other important information:
- All shortlisted candidates may be required to participate in relevant skills assessments and psychometric tests as part of the selection process.
- Applications will only be considered after the closing date or if they comply with at least the minimum requirements.
- Should you have not heard from us within six weeks of your application, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.
- AOSIS is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity. In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of AOSIS and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups.
- All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials and criminal and credit checks (if applicable).
- AOSIS reserves the right not to fill the advertised positions.
- Applicants should be South African citizens, permanent residents with a bar-coded ID, or possess a valid work visa or permit.
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