Long before Lindsay Tinnell was helping shape product strategies for JELD-WEN, she was a college student in Klamath Falls looking for an opportunity to get her start.
Growing up in Oregon, Lindsay Tinnell was familiar with JELD-WEN's presence in the community. What she didn’t know at the time was that a simple outreach would turn into a career spanning multiple roles, teams and experiences.
"I reached out looking for a job or internship because I wanted to get my foot in the door and gain experience," Lindsay said.
That opportunity became the foundation of a career built on curiosity, collaboration and desire to understand how things are built to last.
Learning the business from the inside out
Lindsay began her career in project management before eventually moving into category marketing. Along the way, she developed a reputation for asking questions, building relationships and learning as much as possible about the business.
One experience stands out in particular.
Early in her career, Lindsay had the chance to learn the door skin manufacturing process from start to finish. Seeing firsthand how products are made gave her a perspective that continues to influence her work today.
"Understanding how our products are made and the work that goes into them has helped me better connect the product, the customer and the business," she said.
That knowledge gave her more than technical expertise. It helped her appreciate the craftsmanship, teamwork and problem-solving behind every product. It also reinforces an important lesson: the best decisions are made when you understand the entire journey.
Today, that perspective allows her to connect what happens in manufacturing facilities with what customers experience in the marketplace.
The connector in the room
Ask Lindsay what she enjoys most about her job, and the answer isn’t a product launch or a marketing campaign.
It’s bringing people together.
As Senior Manager of Category Marketing, she works across sales, engineering, product management, brand and other teams to help guide category strategy and bring products to market. Success often depends on aligning different perspectives around a common goal.
"A big part of my job is bringing different groups together and making sure we're all working toward the same goal," Lindsay said. "It takes input from many teams to successfully bring a product to life."
Whether she’s helping shepherd a new product from concept to launch or developing strategies for existing product lines, Lindsay sees herself as a connector, helping teams work together to solve problems and create value for customers.
