Production Operative
6-12 month contract 
Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm
Sunderland/Chester Le Street
£14.64 per hour

Are you reliable, safety conscious, and looking for a rewarding career where your work has a real impact on people's lives? We're looking for two Production Operators to join Northumbrian Water's Water Treatment team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys hands-on work, problem solving, and working as part of a close knit team to help produce safe, high quality drinking water for the customers.

Previous experience within the water industry is beneficial but not essential. If you have transferable skills, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn, they'll provide the training and support you need to succeed.

As a Production Operator, you'll be responsible for operating, monitoring, and maintaining water treatment processes and equipment to ensure they consistently deliver safe, high-quality drinking water that meets all regulatory and company standards.

Working in a quality-controlled environment, you'll monitor treatment processes, make operational adjustments, carry out routine maintenance, and respond to operational issues while maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, and environmental compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor water treatment processes from raw water through to final product.
• Adjust treatment processes, including chemical dosing, to optimise performance and maintain water quality.
• Analyse operational and laboratory data to support process improvements.
• Carry out routine inspections, preventative maintenance, equipment calibration, and validation.
• Complete site housekeeping duties to maintain a clean, safe, and compliant working environment.
• Monitor pumps, valves, instrumentation, and SCADA systems.
• Respond to operational issues and equipment faults using sound judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Maintain accurate site records, including electronic logs, testing records, stock levels, and health and safety documentation.
• Work closely with maintenance teams, contractors, and other departments to ensure safe and efficient site operations.
• Follow all health, safety, environmental, and quality procedures, including safe systems of work when handling chemicals and operating equipment.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for individuals with the right attitude and values just as much as technical ability. The successful candidates will demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to health, safety, and environmental responsibility.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• Good problem-solving skills and the ability to respond effectively to operational issues.
• Reliability, accountability, and a strong work ethic.
• Mechanical or technical aptitude, with confidence working around equipment and technology.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• The ability to remain calm and adaptable under pressure.
• A genuine commitment to producing safe, high-quality drinking water.
• A willingness to learn, develop new skills, and undertake training.

Experience
Previous experience in water treatment, manufacturing, utilities, process operations, engineering, or other technical environments would be an advantage but is not essential.

Full training will be provided, including development in water treatment processes, plant operation, SCADA systems, instrumentation, and company procedures.