Mezzanine Line Operator

Company Overview

Headquartered in Deltona, Florida, The Nutty Bavarian is a leading turn-key licensor of fresh roasted, cinnamon glazed nuts and Kettle Fresh Fudge, with products sold at approximately 1,000 locations across shopping malls, theme parks, airports, stadiums, zoos, convention centers, and specialty retailers throughout the United States and Canada. Founded in 1989 using a Bavarian nut-glazing recipe, the Company grew rapidly after new ownership took over in 1994 and developed a proprietary, fully automated nut-roasting system that produces a consistently higher-quality product at a fraction of the cost of imported equipment.

As a full-service, one-stop-shop for its partners, The Nutty Bavarian provides turnkey equipment, pre-portioned ingredients, packaging, and marketing/merchandising support; in 2011, the Company expanded this offering with the introduction of Kettle Fresh Fudge, adding a high-volume automated fudge program and new point-of-purchase materials that further diversified revenue opportunities, and in June 2026, The Nutty Bavarian became a subsidiary of Golden Waffles, joining its portfolio of turnkey specialty food and beverage programs serving the hospitality and foodservice industry—a combination that pairs The Nutty Bavarian's established network and proprietary equipment platform with Golden Waffles' national distribution footprint, manufacturing capabilities, and operational scale.

Job Summary

The Mezzanine Line Operator plays a physically demanding, hands-on role at The Nutty Bavarian's Deltona, FL manufacturing facility, working from an elevated mezzanine platform to receive, sort, and direct large batches of Kettle Fresh Fudge and roasted, glazed nut products down into the correct lines below for final packaging. Reporting to the Production Supervisor, Bulk Packaging, this role ensures that fudge and nut products are accurately separated, routed, and staged so that downstream packaging teams receive the correct product, in the correct sequence and quantity, without delay.

This position requires repeated manual lifting of up to 50 pounds, sustained work at height on an elevated platform, and the safe use of material-handling equipment to move product between the mezzanine and the production floor. Because errors in batch separation can affect product quality, packaging accuracy, and customer orders, this role demands strong attention to detail along with close teamwork and clear, constant communication with Production Line Operators, Bulk Packaging Machine Operators, and Supervisors working below the mezzanine.

The ideal candidate is a physically fit, safety-conscious individual who thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on manufacturing environment and takes pride in getting product right the first time.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Mezzanine Platform Operations

• Receive large batches of fudge mix and roasted, glazed nut products at the mezzanine level and direct them into the correct chutes, bins, or lines for downstream packaging.
• Monitor product flow from the mezzanine to ensure batches are separated and routed accurately, minimizing cross-contamination or mixing of product types.
• Operate mezzanine-level equipment (e.g., chutes, gates, hoppers, conveyors) to control the pace and direction of product movement.
• Communicate proactively with Production Line Operators and Bulk Packaging Machine Operators below to coordinate timing and avoid backups or shortages.

Material Handling & Lifting

• Repeatedly lift, carry, and position product containers, totes, or bags weighing up to 50 lbs. throughout the shift.
• Use hand trucks, pallet jacks, or other material-handling equipment to move product safely to and from the mezzanine.
• Safely climb stairs or ladders to access and work on the elevated mezzanine platform multiple times per shift.
• Maintain balance and stability while lifting, carrying, and maneuvering product at height.

Batch Separation, Quality & Packaging Support

• Visually inspect product batches for correct type, quality, and condition before directing them into designated packaging lines.
• Identify and report any product mix-ups, contamination, damaged packaging, or quality concerns to the Supervisor immediately.
• Label, tag, or document batches as required to maintain accurate traceability from the mezzanine to final packaging.
• Support changeovers between fudge and nut product runs, ensuring lines are properly cleared and prepared.

Safety & Housekeeping

• Follow all safety protocols related to working at height, including proper use of guardrails, fall protection, and mezzanine access points.
• Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE), including non-slip footwear, gloves, and hearing protection as applicable.
• Keep the mezzanine platform, stairs, and surrounding work areas clean, organized, and free of slip, trip, and fall hazards.
• Report unsafe conditions, near-misses, or equipment malfunctions to the Supervisor promptly.

Teamwork & Communication

• Maintain clear, ongoing communication with team members on the production floor and mezzanine to keep product flowing smoothly and safely.
• Collaborate with Production Line Operators, Bulk Packaging Machine Operators, and Leads to solve problems and address bottlenecks in real time.
• Support a positive, accountable team environment by being reliable, punctual, and responsive to shifting priorities.
• Participate in shift hand-offs, providing clear updates on batch status, equipment issues, or outstanding tasks.

Position Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred; prior experience in food production, warehouse, or manufacturing environment a plus.
• Ability to repeatedly lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 lbs. throughout an 8+ hour shift.
• Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs or ladders, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach for extended periods, including sustained work on an elevated mezzanine platform.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to visually distinguish and accurately separate different product types under time pressure.
• Comfortable working at height and consistently following mezzanine safety and fall-protection protocols.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate closely with coworkers above and below the mezzanine level.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume food manufacturing environment, including exposure to varying temperatures, noise, and food ingredients (including tree nuts).
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and safety procedures accurately.
• Willingness to work full-time hours, including occasional overtime, to meet production demands.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

60% Mezzanine Material Handling, Lifting & Batch Direction

• Receiving, sorting, and directing product batches from the mezzanine.
• Repeated lifting, carrying, and equipment operation.

20% Batch Separation, Quality & Packaging Support

• Visual inspection and batch traceability.
• Changeover support between product runs.

15% Safety & Housekeeping

• Fall protection, PPE use, and platform housekeeping.
• Hazard identification and reporting.

5% Teamwork & Shift Communication

• Coordination with production floor teams.
• Shift hand-offs and updates.