At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations, manage logistics, and coordinate events for a vibrant secondary school.
- Company: Join The Kemnal Academies Trust, a leading multi-academy trust dedicated to educational excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous pension, wellbeing support, and tailored professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working practices promote a positive work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and experience in administration or operations are essential.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
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.
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
- Good standard of education (GCSE English & Maths at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent).
- Proven administrative or operational experience in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience supervising or line-managing administrative or front-of-house staff.
- Background in managing risk assessments, compliance frameworks, or complex logistics/event planning.
- Exceptional organizational and multi-tasking abilities with strong problem-solving skills.
- Calm and composed under pressure—especially during fast-moving morning routines.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and support a team.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills when dealing with staff, supply agencies, parents, and community groups.
- Proficient in IT (MS Office, spreadsheets, and databases).
- An absolute commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of young people.
As part of Kemnal Academies Trust, our colleagues enjoy:
- Access to a wide range of resources, training, and best practice across the Trust.
- Supportive, forward-thinking leadership with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Generous Pension Scheme: Significant employer contributions to support your long-term financial wellbeing.
- Wellbeing Support: Access to a wellbeing app and an expert-led Eight-Week Mindfulness Programme.
- Family Friendly Leave: Policies designed to support work-life balance and caring responsibilities.
- Tailored CPD: Ongoing professional development to support your teaching practice and career progression.
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.
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.
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.
Operations & Logistics Manager (Fixed Term) in Crawley employer: TKAT
At TKAT, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development for our staff. Located at Rainham School for Girls, our commitment to fostering a passion for education is matched by our dedication to safeguarding students and providing teachers with the resources they need to thrive. Join us to inspire the next generation while enjoying a fulfilling career with ample growth opportunities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations & Logistics Manager (Fixed Term) in Crawley
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like TKAT. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at TKAT.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at TKAT.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations & Logistics Manager (Fixed Term) in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at TKAT and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at TKAT
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like TKAT will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to TKAT.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at TKAT.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at TKAT. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
