Effluent Operative

M; Market Drayton; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Health and wellbeing support

Career development and training

Discounted Müller products

Job summary

Müller Market Drayton site is seeking an enthusiastic and reliable Effluent Operative to join our team, playing a vital role in operating and maintaining the Effluent Treatment Plant. This is a hands-on, highly regulated role where you’ll monitor wastewater processes, ensure compliance with Environmental Agency limits, and work with Operations, Engineering and Environmental teams.

Shift pattern is 4 on 4 off days and nights (7am–7pm and 7pm–7am).

Qualifications

• Experience in effluent treatment, water treatment, or utilities environments.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and identifiers.

Responsibilities

• Operate and optimise the Effluent Treatment Plant.
• Carry out routine testing, sampling, and inspections.
• Ensure compliance with Environmental Agency limits and trade effluent consent.
• Investigate issues and implement practical solutions.
• Record operational data and support maintenance activities.
• Collaborate with engineering and environmental teams.

Skills

Wastewater treatment knowledge

Environmental compliance

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Stakeholder communication

Safety mindset

Hands-on technician

Education

Environmental/Utilities/Wastewater qualifications

Tools

Environmental Agency knowledge

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert: Create Alert

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

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.

What We're Looking For

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

• 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.
• 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

We're looking for someone who:

• 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:

• Annual bonus opportunity
• 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.