Process Controller (Water)

United Utilities; Oswestry; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Pension scheme with employer contrib.

Healthcare plan

Gym and wellness benefits

Employee assistance

Career development

Flexible benefits

Enhanced parental leave

Job summary

United Utilities in Oswestry is seeking a Process Controller to join a multi-skilled team responsible for the safe, efficient and reliable production of water. You will operate and maintain water production assets, monitor data, and perform planned and reactive tasks to ensure performance and compliance.

The role includes night shifts (7pm–7am) with a rotation to day shifts every five weeks. Strong numeracy, computer skills, and a full UK driving licence are required, alongside GCSEs including

Qualifications

• Strong numeracy and proficient with computers; experience with reporting and information recording across platforms.
• Minimum five GCSEs at grades A-C, including Maths and English, plus a Science/Technology subject, with certification and a full UK driving licence.
• Ability to work independently and in a team; strong problem-solving, planning and organisational skills; knowledge of safe systems of work and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain water production assets safely and efficiently as part of a multi-skilled team.
• Manage and optimise water treatment sites within a designated geographical area.
• Perform proactive, planned, and reactive tasks to ensure asset reliability and performance.
• Monitor and analyse operational data, implementing corrective actions and escalating risks when necessary.
• Collaborate with technical and operational teams to resolve issues and improve asset performance.
• Support capital project planning by identifying investment needs and ensuring operational requirements are met.

Skills

Numeracy

Computers

Reporting

Education

GCSEs including Maths, English and Science/Technology

Job description

The Role

As a Process Controller, you'll play a vital role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable production of water for our customers. Working as part of a skilled team of Process Controllers and Field Service Engineers, you'll be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and optimisation of our water production assets.

No two nights or days are the same. Operating within a modern, fast-paced environment, you'll undertake a mix of proactive, planned, and reactive activities to keep our assets performing at their best. Through your efforts, you'll help us achieve key regulatory, customer, operational, and financial targets while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys problem-solving, thrives in an operational environment, and takes pride in delivering an essential service that makes a real difference to communities every day.
This position is nights [7pm-7am] with a rotation onto a 4 day shift of 08:00-16:00 days every 5 weeks

What you'll be doing

• Operate and maintain water production assets safely and efficiently as part of a multi-skilled team.
• Manage and optimise water treatment sites within a designated geographical area.
• Perform proactive, planned, and reactive tasks to ensure asset reliability and performance.
• Monitor and analyse operational data, implementing corrective actions and escalating risks when necessary.
• Collaborate with technical and operational teams to resolve issues and improve asset performance.
• Support capital project planning by identifying investment needs and ensuring operational requirements are met.
• Maintain compliance with Health & Safety regulations and internal policies, including incident management procedures.
• Train and mentor colleagues, including apprentices, to build team capability.
• Ensure accurate data entry into corporate systems to support performance analysis and decision-making.
• Supervise contractors on-site, ensuring adherence to safety standards and procedures.

What we're looking for

To excel in this role, you must have strong numeracy skills, be proficient with computers, and adept at handling reporting and information recording across multiple platforms.

A minimum of five GCSEs at grades A-C (or equivalent), including Maths, English, and a Science or Technology subject and be able to evidence these through certification, along with a full UK driving licence.

You should be able to work both independently and as part of a team, demonstrating resilience, self‑motivation, and strong problem‑solving abilities, as well as the necessary technical competence. Additionally, you must possess excellent diagnostic, planning, and organisational skills, effectively communicate information and data, and have a solid understanding of safe systems of work, statutory regulations and operational procedures.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays

• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance‑related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company‑funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

About Us

"Salary - £40,232
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - Oswestry Water Treatment Works, Broomhall Lane, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7HQ
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long‑term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution."