The Role of the Operations & Logistics Manager (6 Months Fixed Term)
The Operations & Logistics Manager is central to the smooth, safe, and efficient day-to-day running of the secondary school. This is an essential, high-profile role focused on high-stakes execution, daily cover coordination, educational trips, and event planning while ensuring absolute compliance with health and safety regulations.
Additionally, this role provides vital operational leadership by line managing the Front of House and Reprographics teams, ensuring an exceptional first impression for visitors, seamless administrative support for staff, and the maximisation of community income generation opportunities.
About The Kemnal Academies Trust
The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT), one of the largest and most established multi-academy trusts in the country. As part of The Kemnal Academies Trust, colleagues benefit from access to a wide network of professional support, collaboration, and development opportunities across a family of schools committed to excellence in education. The Trust is dedicated to investing in its people, providing high-quality training, career progression opportunities, and a strong culture of teamwork and innovation. Joining The Kemnal Academies Trust means becoming part of a forward-thinking organisation that values inclusion, ambition, and continuous improvement, where staff are empowered to make a real difference to the lives of young people.
About Thomas Bennett Community College
Thomas Bennett Community College is a welcoming and ambitious 11–18 secondary school at the heart of the Crawley community, serving families across the town and the wider West Sussex area. As part of The Kemnal Academies Trust, the school combines a strong community ethos with the advantages of a wider network of collaboration and support. With more than 1,200 students, including a thriving sixth form, it provides an inclusive and supportive environment where young people are encouraged to achieve their full potential. The school is committed to delivering a high-quality education through a broad and engaging curriculum across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, supported by modern facilities and dedicated colleagues.
Key Duties and Responsibilities of the Operations & Logistics Manager:
Team Leadership: Line manage, support, and review performance for the Receptionist and Administrative Assistant.
Front of House & Visitor Safeguarding: Oversee the main reception area, delivering excellent customer service while enforcing strict visitor safeguarding protocols.
Daily Cover Management: Serve as the primary contact for staff absences, efficiently allocating internal cover and managing agency supply.
Agency Compliance: Coordinate with supply agencies to ensure all required safer recruitment and DBS checks are complete prior to placement.
Operational Finance & Procurement: Raise purchase orders, monitor deliveries, manage prepayment cards, and process local purchasing and basic payroll variations.
Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC): Manage logistics, bookings, risk assessments, and compliance for all domestic and international school trips.
Event Planning: Operations lead for major school events, including Open Evenings, Parent-Teacher consultations, and transition days.
Asset & Fleet Management: Manage the school minibus fleet (safety checks, servicing, MOTs) and coordinate reprographics and room/catering bookings.
Compliance & Risk Oversight: Maintain audit-ready health and safety compliance records, risk assessments, and assist with FOI/data requests.
Catering Interface: Act as the daily operational link for the outsourced catering provider to monitor meal delivery and service standards.
SEND & Pupil Premium Support: Assist lead staff with operational data tracking, reporting, and rapid procurement of specialized learning resources.
Lettings & Income Generation: Coordinate community hires of school facilities to generate revenue, handling bookings, logistics, and local outreach.
What We’re Looking For
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Good standard of education (GCSE English & Maths at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent).
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Proven administrative or operational experience in a fast-paced environment.
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Experience supervising or line-managing administrative or front-of-house staff.
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Background in managing risk assessments, compliance frameworks, or complex logistics/event planning.
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Exceptional organizational and multi-tasking abilities with strong problem-solving skills.
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Calm and composed under pressure—especially during fast-moving morning routines.
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Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and support a team.
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Excellent communication and customer service skills when dealing with staff, supply agencies, parents, and community groups.
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Proficient in IT (MS Office, spreadsheets, and databases).
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An absolute commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of young people.
As part of Kemnal Academies Trust, our colleagues enjoy:
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Access to a wide range of resources, training, and best practice across the Trust
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Supportive, forward-thinking leadership with a focus on continuous improvement
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Generous Pension Scheme: Significant employer contributions to support your long-term financial wellbeing
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Wellbeing Support: Access to a wellbeing app and an expert-led Eight-Week Mindfulness Programme
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Family Friendly Leave: Policies designed to support work-life balance and caring responsibilities
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Tailored CPD: Ongoing professional development to support your teaching practice and career progression
To find out more, visit our website here or contact the school office on 01293 526255 or
Our Commitment
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
Flexible working
We recognise the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. We promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.
Our Commitment - Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging
At Kemnal, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.
Access to interview
Be Who You Are at Kemnal - should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.
