Ben Wagner’s drive to explore, learn and take on challenges has shaped his 25-year career at JELD-WEN.
If you ask anyone at JELD-WEN’s Pottsville facility about Maintenance Manager Ben Wagner, you’ll hear a common theme: his career hasn’t followed a straight line, it’s been built on curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to take on whatever challenge comes next.
A career built on curiosity and growth
Ben’s journey in manufacturing began at the Sunbury, Pennsylvania, facility where he stocked carts in the interior door plant. Early on, he was drawn to something bigger than the task at hand, the process behind how products are made.
“I’ve always been interested in how things work,” Ben says. “Once you start learning the machinery and how everything comes together, it becomes something you want to keep digging into.”
That curiosity quickly translated into opportunity. Ben became part of the team launching the first Autoline prototype in Sunbury, an experience that deepened his understanding of both equipment and the software systems that power modern manufacturing.
As his technical strengths became more apparent, Ben transitioned into an IT manager role in JELD-WEN's Pottsville facility, followed by a position on the corporate engineering team where he supported projects across multiple facilities.
After working at the corporate level, Ben made the decision to return to Pottsville, this time as Maintenance Manager.
For him, the move was about more than career progression.
“At the plant level, you can see the impact of what you’re doing every day,” he explains. “You’re hands-on, solving problems in real time, and working directly with the team. That’s something you don’t always feel when you’re further removed.”
Leading with a problem-solving mindset
In his current role, Ben applies a structured, analytical approach to challenges, one that’s rooted in continuous learning.
“When there isn’t a clear answer, I start with the ‘five whys’ and work backward to find the root cause,” he says. “It’s about understanding the problem, not just fixing the symptom.”
His background in IT and engineering plays a critical role in helping him translate complex systems into practical knowledge his team can use. Whether it’s troubleshooting a machine or implementing training, his focus is on making sure everyone understands how and why things work.
