Academy Kit Manager

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Job Title: Academy Kit Manager

Reports to: Head of Kit Operations

Location: Robert Rowan Performance Centre
Department: Football

Sub-department: Kit Operations - Academy

The Club

Brentford FC is a bit different from other Premier League football clubs. We put our fans first, we are a true community club and while we are financially sustainable, we are not afraid to take calculated risks. We take huge pride in our environment and culture within the Club which focuses on development, inclusion and not being afraid to think differently.

Being progressive, humble and respectful while sticking together as one team across the Club guides how we work and the decisions we make each day.

We also firmly believe that a diverse workforce is a better workforce which will help us develop ideas, solve problems and ultimately grow Brentford FC.

We play in a new stadium, 15 minutes from Heathrow in vibrant west London.

We will never forget where we have come from, but we are excited about the future that lies ahead.

Job Overview

The Academy Kit Manager leads the day-to-day delivery of kit and equipment services across Brentford FC's Academy pathway, from Pre-Academy and U7-U17 through to U18 and B Team/U21. Reporting to the Head of Kit Operations, the postholder ensures players and staff receive the correct kit and equipment for training, fixtures, travel and tournaments, on time and to Club standards. The role line-manages Academy Kit Coordinators/Assistants and oversees stock, storage, laundry and logistics while supporting the Academy's development towards Category One standards and alignment with the First Team operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day Academy kit and equipment operation across the Pre-Academy, U7-U17, U18 and B Team/U21 programmes, ensuring consistent standards throughout the player pathway.
• Line-manage Academy Kit Coordinators/Assistants, setting clear responsibilities, planning rotas and workloads, monitoring performance and supporting their ongoing development.
• Plan and deliver all training, home and away match, tournament and travel kit requirements, including overlapping fixtures and late changes.
• Manage player and staff sizing, seasonal allocations, personalisation, issue, returns and replacement of kit in line with Club policy.
• Own Academy stock control, ordering forecasts, goods-in, inventories and replenishment, maintaining accurate records and appropriate contingency levels.
• Oversee laundry turnaround, garment care, hygiene and presentation, ensuring clean kit is available when required and damaged items are identified promptly.
• Maintain kit rooms, storage areas, changing areas and equipment spaces so they remain safe, secure, clean, organised and ready for use.
• Coordinate equipment and kit logistics for fixtures, tours and tournaments, including packing, loading, transport, accommodation requirements and relevant travel documentation.
• Build effective working relationships with Academy Operations, coaches and the Medical, Performance, Analysis, Player Care and Football Operations teams to anticipate and meet requirements.
• Ensure all kit preparation and presentation comply with Club, supplier, sponsor and competition regulations and is aligned with First Team standards where appropriate.
• Manage delegated budgets responsibly, maintain purchasing and issue records, and report shortages, variances, loss, damage or avoidable waste to the Head of Kit Operations.
• Act quickly on operational issues, inspect equipment and working areas, and complete post-event reviews so problems are resolved and standards continue to improve.

Knowledge

• Proven experience in kit, equipment or operational delivery within professional football or another elite sporting environment; Academy experience is desirable.
• Strong understanding of the demands of a multi-team Academy programme and the standards required across training, matchday, travel and tournament environments.
• Good working knowledge of stock control, procurement, supplier management and budget monitoring.
• Knowledge of laundry processes, garment care, personalisation methods, hygiene and the safe use of relevant machinery and products.
• Working knowledge of health and safety, COSHH, manual handling, safeguarding responsibilities and confidentiality within an Academy setting.

Specialist Skills

• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage overlapping schedules, competing priorities and short-notice changes.
• High attention to detail when preparing, checking, personalising and presenting player and staff kit.
• Confident use of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and stock-control or inventory systems for accurate reporting and record keeping.
• Ability to plan and deliver complex matchday and travel logistics, including packing, load management and contingency preparation.
• Sound commercial judgement when ordering, controlling stock, reducing waste and working within delegated budgets.
• A full UK driving licence and the flexibility to work evenings and weekends and to travel within the UK and overseas, including overnight stays, as required by the football schedule.

People Skills

• Provide clear, supportive and accountable leadership to Academy Kit Coordinators/Assistants, ensuring every operational area has an identified owner.
• Develop trusted working relationships with the Head of Kit Operations, Academy leadership, coaches, players and key support departments.
• Communicate calmly, clearly and professionally, particularly when managing pressure, competing requests or late operational changes.
• Demonstrate a discreet, service-focused approach when working with young players, parents, staff and confidential Club information.
• Set and challenge standards constructively, raise issues early and take ownership rather than walking past problems.

External Impact

• Maintain professional relationships with kit suppliers, personalisation partners, couriers and other service providers, escalating performance concerns where required.
• Liaise effectively with opposition clubs, competition organisers, hotels, transport providers and host venues to confirm kit and equipment arrangements.
• Represent Brentford FC professionally during Academy fixtures, tournaments, tours and external visits, protecting the Club's reputation and commercial partnerships.

Decision Making

• Work independently on day-to-day Academy kit operations within agreed Club policies, budgets and the direction set by the Head of Kit Operations.
• Prioritise workloads and deploy staff and stock across concurrent training sessions, fixtures and travel requirements to protect service delivery.
• Make timely contingency decisions when kit is delayed, missing, damaged or incorrect, securing an appropriate alternative and communicating the impact.
• Escalate significant budget, staffing, conduct, safeguarding, health and safety or reputational matters promptly through the correct Club channels.

Innovation

• Identify and implement practical improvements to stock tracking, kit issue, storage, laundry flow, match preparation and communication processes.

• Help develop the people, systems and standards required for the Academy's continued progress towards Category One operations and closer alignment across the Club.
• Use reviews, feedback and operational data to improve reliability, sustainability and value for money while maintaining high-performance standards.

General Club Accountabilities

• To comply with all Club policies, including health and safety, data regulations and other legal, ethical and social requirements
• To build and maintain good working relationships while maintaining a professional image
• To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Club and its personnel
• To always maintain a flexible approach to work

Inclusion Statement

Brentford FC is proud to be an organisation that values equity, diversity and inclusion. We strive to create a culture that celebrates difference and ensures fairness, safety, representation, and belonging.

We recognise that some groups remain underrepresented in our workforce and are actively working to change this. As part of that commitment, we strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds — particularly those from ethnically diverse communities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabled people.

We’re committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process, with all decisions made based on merit and suitability — regardless of background or protected characteristic. Should you be selected for interview, we welcome the opportunity to discuss any specific arrangements, accommodations or reasonable adjustments you may require to be made.

Safeguarding Statement

Brentford FC is fully committed to promoting equality, and to safeguarding the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is a core part of the Club’s culture. All staff and volunteers share a collective duty to create and maintain a safe and supportive environment, both on and off the field.

To ensure this, all staff are required to complete regular safeguarding training appropriate to their role. This training supports a proactive and informed approach to safeguarding practice.

The successful candidate will be expected to understand, adhere to, and actively uphold all relevant safeguarding policies and procedures. This includes recognising signs of abuse or harm, responding appropriately, and reporting any concerns in a timely manner to the Club’s Safeguarding Team.

Brentford FC operates safer recruitment practices. We remind individuals that it is a criminal offence for a person barred from engaging in regulated activity to apply for a role that involves such activity.

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