Phoenix International Publications, Inc. is searching for a full-time Art Director. In this role, the experienced and creative thinker will be immersed in the world of children’s media, especially licensed publishing and will work in our Chicago office; which is located conveniently to the Blueline and minutes from O’Hare Airport.

 

We are one of the leading licensed international children’s publishers in the world, we continue to create the highest quality of products for children, and are dedicated to bringing excellence to children’s publishing. While we have offices worldwide, our headquarters are based in Chicago, Illinois.

 

All qualified candidates must submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements to be considered.

 

The Art Director will be responsible for the following:

· Design 30+ book projects per year, plus custom publishing projects across two imprints

· Able to work independently as well as collaboratively within the larger group, often moving seamlessly between the two

· Excellent design skills including the ability to identify improvements and flaws and offer feedback for colleagues to ensure the best result

· Confident user of InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and other Creative Suite programs, as well as Office programs such as email, Excel, Word, Powerpoint etc.

· Participate in format development with senior staff, creating specs and reviewing for assigned formats, providing manufacturing with complete, accurate information

· Works with editorial and design staff to help develop content direction for formats

· Hire and oversee vendors, such as designers, artists, illustrators, photo researchers, paper engineers to complete work as needed

· Prepare all materials needed by sales department or outside customers and routes to all relevant reviewers

· Ensure mechanical files meet production standards to appropriately preflight final files and prepare press-ready PDFs for printing

· Problem solves any issues regarding work as it occurs or anticipate and correct

· Uses a variety of resources to help inform their designs, keeping on top of design trends, pop culture, and branding styles

· Confident and effective communicator at different levels, including with senior and executive staff and external parties

· Manages schedule and time management effectively to ensure their projects are on time as well as on budget

· Designs to and within line looks to maintain consistency whether taking the lead or following it

· Takes analytical approach to new brands and competitor’s product for a thorough knowledge of market needs

· Attends licensor calls, meetings, and events as needed and maintains confidentiality

 

Skills

– 3+ years’ experience working in licensed publishing is essential

– Experience within toy or other children’s media an advantage

– Ability to design across multiple age ranges and within a variety of formats from simple bath and novelty board books to complex multi book and electronic packs and giftsets

– Knowledge of e-book and app development an advantage

– Contract experience an advantage

– Knowledge of Biblio an advantage

– This role is based in our Chicago offices

 

Other duties may include:

· Illustration

· Paper engineering

· Photograph color correction/manipulation

· Comp images

· Creation of materials for sales

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA/BS Degree
• Long term experience and advanced skill sets
• Excellent computer skills, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.

To be considered for this position, qualified candidates must submit a cover letter, resume and salary expectations.

Worldwide children’s book publishing company located in Chicago, Illinois is searching for a full-time Inventory Control Specialist.

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements.

The Inventory Control Specialist is responsible for monitoring and managing the company’s inventory.

 

Other duties and responsibilities include:

 

· Prepare inventory documentation; accurately recording type, quantity, quality, etc.
· Ensure that inventories are constantly up to standard.
· Ensure that merchandise received meet order specifications.
· Ensure that available inventory matches customer needs.
· Create purchase plan; ensuring the availability of inventory when needed.
· Maintain daily invoices and shipment records to ascertain the state of all products and inventory.
· Responsible for forecasting company’s future inventory needs.
· Oversee the constant flow of inventory in and out of the company’s warehouse facilities.
· Document inventory delivery and supervise their movement into operational processing or position.
· Ensure maintenance of optimal levels of inventory for availability as need arises.
· Set up operation standards for all colleagues to follow.
· Ensure proper management of aging and excess inventory.
· Review service levels regularly and reconcile inventories, especially cost of goods.
· Recommend operational policies and goals to company’s management.
· Respond to complaints and queries concerning inventories and products.
· Prepare and submit inventory control reports to supervisor.
· Attend to inquiries concerning products and inventories.
· Carry out inventory control to ensure inventories are at optimal levels.
· Report and analyze data and present results to senior managers when necessary.
· Foster effective and cordial relationships with clients and third party distributors
· Issue purchase orders to manufacturing.
· Other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s Degree in supply chain management, business or logistics
· 3+ years of experience
· Excellent communication skills; verbal and written.
· Effective leadership skills including conflict resolution and keeping people motivated enough to work effectively.
· Critical thinking skills.
· Excellent organization skills – must be able to organize his/her team, schedules, and inventories to ensure efficiency in work delivery.
· Problem solving skills; ability to anticipate problems and prepare to solve them.
· Proficient with Microsoft Office, Excel, and SAP
· Excellent logistical skills to be able to track movement of supplies from the supplier to the warehouse; and maintain cost of goods data.
· Ability to work under pressure and still maintain ideal disposition towards work.

Worldwide children’s book publishing company located in Chicago, Illinois is searching for a full-time Marketing Manager. As the Marketing Manager, you are responsible for performing research and providing insights regarding the market, trends, competitors, potential, and existing customers, and current campaigns. You will manage the Marketing Department to ensure all marketing responsibilities and goals are achieved. Your primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Identify new market opportunities.
Determine brand perceptions and reputations.
Evaluate market penetration.
Develop groups and solicit customer feedback.
Analyze marketing metrics to identify cause and effect relationships.
Analyze competitors.
Assess client’s promotional needs.
Evaluate demographics, prices, distribution channels and marketing outlets.
Develop sales strategies in tandem with the Sales Department.
Meet with clients to ascertain marketing goals.
Create questionnaires and surveys.
Conduct secondary research, including finding information from industry associations, statisticians and marketing experts.
Generate reports that analyze competition and customers.
Offer insights about product potentials.
Oversee all social media presence including but not limited to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter and more.
Oversee the company website maintenance and content.
Create yearly all-company print and digital catalogs
NPD BookScan contact.
Advertise and maintain relationships with industry publications and professionals like PW, SLJ, Booklist, Kirus and others.
Work with VP, Publishing and VP, Sales to review new titles and covers going to print, especially branding.
Work with all International offices to ensure proper marketing efforts are being used and up to PIP standards.
Other duties as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

– College degree, preferably in business or marketing.
– Several years of sales, communications, publishing and marketing experience; minimum 5 years of relevant experience
– Proven experience in their current position.
– Ability to think creatively with excellent communication skills.
– Knowledge of office technologies; Excel, Word, etc.
– Familiarity with the latest trends, technologies, and methodologies in graphic design, web site construction, E-commerce, production and more.

All employees are required to wear a mask when entering the building and in all common spaces.

Phoenix International Publications, Inc., is a worldwide children’s book publisher located in Chicago (corner of Cumberland & Higgins) with easy access to the BlueLine. We have an immediate need for a full-time Sales Assistant to work in our Chicago office. We seek a highly motivated, organized and detail oriented person to assist the Sales Directors, along with the day-to-day administrative tasks associated with various accounts, including order and inventory management, sales forecasting, client contact support, PowerPoint presentations, product planning, administrative responsibilities as well as working closely with other departments to meet company goals. We need you to be proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint and have the ability to work well under pressure and deadlines.

 

Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree, or 1-2 years equivalent experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent computer skills, MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint

To be considered, qualified candidates must submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements.