The Role of the Operations & Logistics Manager

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.