Secure Print planning and distribution manager

About the Team & Role

Pearson were awarded the Test Operation Service (TOpS) contract in April 2024, with the first test cycle to be completed in 2025 / 2026 window. Working in our Rotherham offices in South Yorkshire, the TOpS Secure Print planning and distribution manager will be supporting with ensuring that all set-up deliverables are met throughout the set-up of the TOpS project, meeting tight deadlines and ensuring that all processing criteria is met. You will take end-to-end ownership to ensure a joined-up workflow and successful delivery, ensuring the manufacture and despatch of question papers and related examination materials under secure conditions, to agreed schedules.

Responsibilities within the role will include;

Manage the fulfilment & distribution of secure examination material.

Create and maintain print and distribution schedules for Print & Distribution Suppliers.

Liaise with the distributor, team managers, couriers, project managers and centres to ensure deliveries are made within agreed SLAs.

Work with customs, centres and authorities to ensure all undelivered consignments are accounted for.

Raise any potential security issues with the Business Assurance Group. Follow agreed procedures to communicate any security risks and provide distributions solutions to paper breaches.

Assist in integrating the fulfilment & distribution functions of new business acquisitions.

Manage the set-up of new qualifications. Ensuring schedules are created, processes are agreed and systems are developed to handle qualification-specific requirements.

Manage the courier relationship. Ensure the courier and distributor relationship ensures all PQS SLAs are met.

Where possible identify / recommend areas for cost reduction and implement cost-saving strategies without affecting the security, quality or schedule.

Ensure other team members and colleagues in Customer Services are informed of any ongoing issues that are likely to result in increased Centre / Customer contact.

Identify and assist with the development of new systems / procedures to improve processes within the Secure Production and Despatch area. Provide “helpdesk” support / guidance for the fulfilment houses in their use of the carrier dispatch systems.

To ensure all secure production and despatch procedures are followed, documented and participate in any process reviews.

To ensure all work is processed and printed in line with agreed QMS procedures and quality.

Check invoices for accuracy and compliance as required and ensure invoices are processed within the agreed turnaround. Where necessary, raise invoice queries with the relevant supplier.

There will be a requirement to support with scanning operations across our other qualifications in quieter periods which will include the above responsibilities. The Secure Print Team within Pearson Schools handles more than 4,000 printed items per year, producing more than 9 million question papers.

About You :

As a customer and quality focused professional you will be / have :

Experience in managing / co-ordinating a high-volume customer service, logistics or distribution function with tight SLAs

High attention to detail with ability to create and maintain consistent records relating to the progress and order details for question papers.

Ability to comprehend and communicate clear instructions with supplier’s and internal customers

Ability to analyse complex written and numerical information

Managing conflict with diplomacy

Skills in MS Access (or comparable databases / tracking & ordering systems); MS Word and MS Excel (both to intermediate level) to manage quantities, purchase order costs and invoices.

A positive and results focused team player!

Flexibility in work hours is required

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Degree, relevant vocational qualifications or extensive experience

Experience of delivering key operational activities in a highly pressurised environment

Experience managing a team or project and all aspects of performance management

Experience of taking a strategic view and implementing significant business improvement processes

Leading complex activities either as a manager or in cross-departmental teams

Experience related to implementation of procedures and contingencies

Project management

Your rewards & benefits

We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know that one size doesn’t fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families too. There is a range of options, see some of them shared here :

A competitive salary

25 Days annual leave, this increases by 1 day each year up to 30 days with the option to buy and sell up to 5 days per year on top of this.

A fantastic pension plan, where Pearson double what you contribute.

Pearson’s other benefits also include private dental care, private medical insurance, digital GP service, season ticket loan, eye tests, cycle to work scheme, volunteering days, employee wellbeing assistance discounted retail and leisure products and services from leading companies and much more.

What to expect from Pearson

Did you know Pearson is one of the 10 most innovative education companies of 2022?

At Pearson, we add life to a lifetime of learning so everyone can realize the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are on a journey to be 100 percent digital to meet the changing needs of the global population by developing a new strategy with ambitious targets. To deliver on our strategic vision, we have five business divisions that are the foundation for the long-term growth of the company : Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Higher Education. Alongside these, we have our corporate divisions : Digital & Technology, Finance, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Legal, Strategy and Direct to Consumer. Learn more at

We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.