Facilities Maintenance Technician - Wastewater

Derst Baking Company; Liberty City (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Professional growth

Paid vacation and holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Flowers Foods, Inc. is seeking a skilled wastewater operator to oversee the daily operation, monitoring, and routine maintenance of the bakery's industrial wastewater pretreatment system.

The role ensures compliance with the facility's permit and supports sampling, reporting, and troubleshooting in a hands-on capacity. The ideal candidate has 1-3 years of industrial wastewater treatment experience in food manufacturing, with knowledge of pH control and sampling procedures.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience in industrial wastewater treatment, food manufacturing preferred.
• Working knowledge of wastewater pretreatment regulations and sampling procedures.
• Ability to interpret basic wastewater data and trends.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor the wastewater treatment system and associated equipment.
• Adjust treatment processes based on influent characteristics.
• Monitor pH control systems to maintain permit compliance.
• Conduct routine checks, sampling, and laboratory coordination.
• Maintain logs of pH, flow, sampling events, and chemical usage.
• Prepare monthly wastewater reports under management guidance.
• Identify upstream contributors to high oil & grease or solids loading.
• Ensure clean, safe, and organized treatment areas.

Skills

Wastewater treatment

Industrial operations

Chemical handling

Data interpretation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical/Trade School certification

Tools

pH control systems

Wastewater sampling equipment

Job description

FRESH. FORWARD. FLOWERS.

Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE:FLO) is not just about baking; it's about crafting moments of joy with every delicious bite. With 2024 sales of $5.1 billion, and as one of the leading producers of packaged bakery goods in the United States, Flowers Foods brings passion to the table. From the wholesome goodness of Nature's Own and Wonder to the bold and artisanal flavors of Dave's Killer Bread, the rustic goodness of Canyon Bakehouse, and the sweet delights of Tastykake, each product is a celebration of taste and quality. Beyond the oven, Flowers Foods fosters a culture that values and reflects honesty & integrity, respect & inclusion, sustainability, passion, and humility. With a commitment to innovation and a recipe for success, Flowers Foods is more than a bakery — it's a delightful journey into the heart of flavor and community.

Full-time employees are offered the following benefits

• Comprehensive health and medical benefits
• 401(k) Retirement savings plan
• Professional growth and leadership training
• Paid vacation, holidays, and parental leave

Benefits may vary depending on your work location.

Bringing Home the Dough

Role is responsible for the daily operation, monitoring, and routine maintenance of the bakery's industrial wastewater pretreatment system. This role ensures compliance with the facility's Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit, supports sampling and reporting activities, and maintains reliable operation of the wastewater treatment system, pH controls, and grease management infrastructure. This is a hands on, operational role focused on execution, monitoring, and troubleshooting—not regulatory ownership or program management.

Rising to the Challenge: Position Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor the wastewater treatment system, equalization tanks, pumps, mixers, and chemical feed systems.
• Adjust treatment processes based on influent characteristics common to bakery operations (FOG, solids, organic loading).
• Monitor and adjust pH control systems to maintain discharge within permit limits.
• Perform routine operational checks, startups, shutdowns, and troubleshooting.
• Conduct permit required wastewater sampling, including 24 hour composite and grab samples.
• Perform daily grab pH measurements on discharge days.
• Assist with laboratory coordination and sample handling.
• Conduct jar testing and assist with treatment optimization.
• Monitor and document flow and pH trends from continuous monitoring equipment.
• Inspect grease traps, oil/water separators, and solids removal systems.
• Coordinate grease trap cleanouts and solids removal.
• Assist in identifying upstream contributors to high oil & grease or solids loading.
• Maintain accurate logs for:
  • pH and flow readings
  • Sampling events
  • Chemical usage
  • Equipment inspections
• Support preparation of monthly wastewater reports (DMRs/SMRs) under the direction of management.
• Immediately notify management of abnormal conditions or potential permit exceedances.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance on wastewater equipment.
• Identify equipment issues and coordinate work orders with Industrial Maintenance.
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized wastewater treatment areas.
• Assist Industrial Maintenance personnel as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with all Company policies and procedures (EEO, Sexual Harassment, Safety, Sarbanes Oxley, etc.).
• Perform other duties as directed by supervision.
• Perform other duties deemed by management to be an integral part of the job, including but not limited to fulfillment of work schedules, adherence to attendance policies, and other applicable operating rules, policies and procedures.

Knead to Know: Preferred Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience in industrial wastewater treatment, food manufacturing preferred.
• Working knowledge of:
  • Wastewater pretreatment regulations
  • Wastewater treatment operation, adjustment and routine system maintenance
  • pH control systems
  • Wastewater sampling procedures
• Ability to interpret basic wastewater data and trends.
• Comfortable working around chemicals and mechanical systems.

Additional Ingredients: Essential Job Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent, Technical/Trade School certification or diploma a plus

Salary Range- 32.56 Hourly

We offer a competitive salary and an excellent total rewards package. Please reply by 8/14/2026. Interested job seekers who successfully complete the series of pre-screening questions and who appear to possess the basic qualifications for this position may be contacted for a telephone interview.

EEO Statement

Flowers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Flowers encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or people of any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The job description above outlines the general nature and level of work expected from employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this position. Equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills may supplement above minimum job requirements.

If you need assistance with submitting your resume due to a medical condition or disability, please send an e‑mail to Molly Bryant at [e-mail] or.