About Key Production
What is Key Production?
Key Production turns artists' and record labels' ideas into physical products: vinyl pressing, CD replication, DVD, Blu-ray and games discs, cassettes, special vinyl, SMART formats and Tiny Vinyl, and bespoke packaging including its own Fancentric Pack, alongside music downloads and in-house design. It works as a broker, project-managing each order through long-standing relationships with trusted suppliers in the UK and worldwide, and calls itself "the biggest production house in Europe for physical music manufacture"; the Association of Independent Music describes it as "one of the most trusted names in physical music manufacturing". Key Production started in 1990 with "one cold dark office and one customer", and that first customer is still a client. It has been a certified B Corp since 2023, is accredited by the Good Business Charter and works with its suppliers towards a circular economy. Its mission: "With our knowledge and passion, we create unforgettable physical and audio experiences, striving to do so as sustainably as possible."
Where will I work?
At the company's office at Tileyard Studios, near King's Cross in London; the current Senior Product Design Manager role can also be based in Brighton. Hybrid working and flexible hours start after probation, with one flexible day at first and two after a year.
What is the Key Production team like?
A team of more than 60 people across five locations, some of whom joined in the company's early years. In 2024 its founder transferred ownership to an Employee Ownership Trust on behalf of the staff, so every new hire becomes a part owner of the business; the founder remains chief executive. The team's five core behaviours are being a community, being driven, going above and beyond, working collaboratively and being reliable, and in the company's own health check staff describe it as "like an extended family". Key Production particularly encourages applications from people from global majority backgrounds, disabled and neurodiverse people, and people from working-class backgrounds, who are under-represented in the industry.
Work-Life Balance
The office closes at 1pm every Friday — "Early Finish: Close at 1pm every Friday," as the careers page puts it. On top of that, staff get 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, and 21 hours of appointment time on top of annual leave for doctor, dentist and eye-test appointments, "so you don't waste your holiday". There are quarterly social events for the whole company.
Perks and Benefits
- The office closes at 1pm every Friday
- 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, and 21 hours of appointment time
- Hybrid working and flexible hours after probation
- Employee ownership, with a discretionary annual profit share
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Life assurance and income protection
- Health Shield health benefits, a Bupa menopause plan, mental health first aiders, counselling, the WeThrive wellbeing app and a 24-hour employee assistance programme
- An interest-free season ticket loan, an EV scheme with Octopus Energy and cycle to work
- Visits to pressing plants and printers, and courses suited to your role and career goals