Effluent Operative

Müller UK & Ireland; Market Drayton; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Müller Reward Scheme

Pension

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Health and wellbeing support

Career development and training

Job summary

Müller UK & Ireland is seeking an enthusiastic Effluent Operative at our Market Drayton site to operate and maintain the Effluent Treatment Plant, ensuring wastewater is treated safely and in compliance.

In this hands-on role you will monitor plant performance, perform routine testing, coordinate with engineering and environmental teams, and contribute to continuous improvement while promoting health, safety and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in an effluent treatment, water treatment, utilities, environmental, process manufacturing, or similar operational environment.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and environmental compliance requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to identify issues and implement practical solutions.
• Good communication skills and confidence working with a range of stakeholders.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with a strong safety mindset.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, operate and optimise the site’s Effluent Treatment Plant.
• Carry out routine testing, sampling, inspections and process checks.
• Ensure all plant operations comply with Environmental Agency requirements and Trade Effluent Consent conditions.
• Investigate process issues and collaborate to identify effective solutions.
• Record and maintain accurate operational and compliance data.
• Support preventative maintenance activities and coordinate with engineering teams when required.
• Monitor plant performance and respond to out-of-specification results.
• Promote health, safety and environmental culture across the site.
• Contribute ideas and continuous improvement to enhance plant performance and sustainability.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, contractors, regulators and site management.

Skills

Experience in effluent/wastewater

Attention to detail

Good communication

Proactive safety mindset

Problem solving

Tools

Environmental compliance knowledge

Job description

Effluent Operative

Location: Market Drayton
Shift Pattern: 4 on 4 off days & nights - 7am to 7pm & 7pm to 7am
Salary: £34,923.00 +Overtime, Excellent Müller Benefits Package

Join Müller and Help Protect Our Environment

At Theo Müller, we're passionate about producing high-quality dairy products enjoyed by millions of households every day. Behind every successful production operation is a commitment to environmental responsibility, sustainability, and compliance.

We're looking for an enthusiastic and reliable Effluent Operative to join our Market Drayton site, playing a vital role in operating and maintaining our Effluent Treatment Plant. This is an opportunity to work in a specialist area of manufacturing where your expertise will directly contribute to environmental protection, site performance, and operational excellence.

Why This Role Matters

Our Effluent Treatment Plant is essential to the safe and compliant operation of the dairy. As an Effluent Operative, you'll be responsible for ensuring wastewater treatment processes operate efficiently, safely, and within environmental regulations.

You'll work closely with Operations, Engineering, and Environmental teams, helping us maintain the highest standards of environmental compliance while identifying improvements that support sustainability and operational efficiency.

What You'll Be Doing

As part of our specialist effluent team, you'll:

• Monitor, operate, and optimise the site's Effluent Treatment Plant.
• Carry out routine testing, sampling, inspections, and process checks.
• Ensure all plant operations comply with Environmental Agency requirements and Trade Effluent Consent conditions.
• Investigate process issues and work collaboratively to identify effective solutions.
• Record and maintain accurate operational and compliance data.
• Support preventative maintenance activities and coordinate with engineering teams when required.
• Monitor plant performance and respond proactively to out-of-specification results.
• Promote a strong health, safety, and environmental culture across the site.
• Contribute ideas and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance plant performance and sustainability.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, contractors, regulators, and site management when required.

We're Looking For

We're seeking someone who enjoys problem-solving, taking ownership, and working in a highly regulated operational environment.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience working within an effluent treatment, water treatment, utilities, environmental, process manufacturing, or similar operational environment.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and environmental compliance requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to identify issues and implement practical solutions.
• Good communication skills and confidence working with a range of stakeholders.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with a strong safety mindset.

Desirable

• Previous experience operating an Effluent Treatment Plant.
• Knowledge of Environmental Agency consent limits and environmental permitting regulations.
• Experience within dairy, food manufacturing, FMCG, utilities, or process industries.
• Understanding of preventative maintenance processes.
• Relevant environmental, utilities, or wastewater treatment qualifications

What You'll Bring

• Takes pride in doing things the right way.
• Thrives in a practical, hands‑on environment.
• Is methodical and organised.
• Demonstrates integrity and accountability.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues across all levels of the business.
• Is passionate about improving processes and driving operational excellence

What We Offer

At Müller, we value our people and are committed to helping them develop their careers.

Our benefits package includes:

• Competitive salary
• Annual bonus opportunity
• Müller Reward Scheme
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health and wellbeing support
• Career development and training opportunities
• Access to discounted Müller products and employee benefits platform

At Müller, we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage people to apply even if they don't meet every requirement listed. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know - we're happy to support you.