6 answers
Nick
Student
Grafton, Ohio
4
Questions
Asked
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What are some disadvantages of having a job in manufacturing.
My name is Nick, I am eighteen, and I am looking into manufacturing jobs. #consulting #job #manufacturing
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6 answers
Trevor Dawson
Consulting
99
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Trevor’s Answer
My only thought is that manufacturing can be very sensitive to geo-political issues and as such may not be as stable as some industries, but that being said we will always need manufacturing in some facet or another.
Stephen Gray
Supply chain including new product introductions
8
Answers
Maynard, Massachusetts
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
I will start by making an assumption that your question is what disadvantages are unique to a job in manufacturing.
Technology change that obsoletes the methods your job uses to manufacture the product can be a disadvantage. This can apply to non-manufacturing jobs but in my opinion often plays a more significant impact on manufacturing jobs. I would like to highlight that this can also be an advantage for an individual or factory that has prepared for a change and are willing to adopt new methods.
Another disadvantage is the capital investment required to support most manufacturing operations. Many business do not want to have large capital investments as a part of the overall costs. Capital investments include land, buildings and equipment. This disadvantage can lead to the selling off of the manufacturing operation to another company with a plan to purchase the manufactured parts or products from this new company for sale by the existing company. This kind of change can be very disruptive to manufacturing jobs. The goals of the new company can include consolidate with existing manufacturing operations which are often in other locations.
Manufacturing jobs can be less safe that non-manufacturing jobs. Machines and tools or electrical or chemical processes almost always have specific rules of operation that greatly reduce this risk. Many manufacturing jobs require personal discipline to remain safe on the job.
It is important to consider that any disadvantage, once understood, can be limited or avoided all together. I have been a part of change that has led to growth, new opportunity and significant rewards.
Technology change that obsoletes the methods your job uses to manufacture the product can be a disadvantage. This can apply to non-manufacturing jobs but in my opinion often plays a more significant impact on manufacturing jobs. I would like to highlight that this can also be an advantage for an individual or factory that has prepared for a change and are willing to adopt new methods.
Another disadvantage is the capital investment required to support most manufacturing operations. Many business do not want to have large capital investments as a part of the overall costs. Capital investments include land, buildings and equipment. This disadvantage can lead to the selling off of the manufacturing operation to another company with a plan to purchase the manufactured parts or products from this new company for sale by the existing company. This kind of change can be very disruptive to manufacturing jobs. The goals of the new company can include consolidate with existing manufacturing operations which are often in other locations.
Manufacturing jobs can be less safe that non-manufacturing jobs. Machines and tools or electrical or chemical processes almost always have specific rules of operation that greatly reduce this risk. Many manufacturing jobs require personal discipline to remain safe on the job.
It is important to consider that any disadvantage, once understood, can be limited or avoided all together. I have been a part of change that has led to growth, new opportunity and significant rewards.
Shiyoung (David) Ryu, CPA
Auditor
15
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Shiyoung (David)’s Answer
Hi Nick,
Instead of pointing out the disadvantages of manufacturing job only, I would like to recommend you to think about both pros and cons of manufacturing jobs. Based on my previous experience in the manufacturing field, there are two pros and cons of the manufacturing job respectively.
Pros
1. Understand Basic Business Model
For the accounting perspective, you could experience of the accounting about material, labor, inventory, PPE and various cost models. As the production cycle of manufacturing is relatively consistent, you could learn lots of basic accounting treatments by experiencing various production cycles.
2. High Salary
If you are an manufacturing engineer and have specific work-related skill, knowledge, or experience, you could get higher salary than usual office workers.
Cons
1. Location
As the manufacturing companies need the large factories to produce their own products, the location of the companies is usually the suburb area instead of the cities.
2. Less Creative
It could be variable based on the characteristics of each company, but usual manufacturing companies prefer stable and consistent environment instead of super creative working environment. If you want to work at creative atmosphere like IT companies, this environment could be disadvantage for you.
As you can note from my comments, each pro and con could be reversed based on your preference. Thus, I hope you do not only focus on the disadvantage of manufacturing industry, but have open-mind in diverse facts of it.
Instead of pointing out the disadvantages of manufacturing job only, I would like to recommend you to think about both pros and cons of manufacturing jobs. Based on my previous experience in the manufacturing field, there are two pros and cons of the manufacturing job respectively.
Pros
1. Understand Basic Business Model
For the accounting perspective, you could experience of the accounting about material, labor, inventory, PPE and various cost models. As the production cycle of manufacturing is relatively consistent, you could learn lots of basic accounting treatments by experiencing various production cycles.
2. High Salary
If you are an manufacturing engineer and have specific work-related skill, knowledge, or experience, you could get higher salary than usual office workers.
Cons
1. Location
As the manufacturing companies need the large factories to produce their own products, the location of the companies is usually the suburb area instead of the cities.
2. Less Creative
It could be variable based on the characteristics of each company, but usual manufacturing companies prefer stable and consistent environment instead of super creative working environment. If you want to work at creative atmosphere like IT companies, this environment could be disadvantage for you.
As you can note from my comments, each pro and con could be reversed based on your preference. Thus, I hope you do not only focus on the disadvantage of manufacturing industry, but have open-mind in diverse facts of it.
Kwasi N
1
Answer
Kenner, Louisiana
Updated
Kwasi’s Answer
It involves a lot of physical labor, especially for operator oriented jobs. But, plant design, process engineering, production control jobs requires some physical work but a lot of understanding of the design and how mechanical processes and systems work.
Also, manufacturing jobs require timing irregularities. For instance on a holiday, and there is a fault in a plant that needs immediate attention you can be phoned in to check the problem and resolve it.
Also, manufacturing jobs require timing irregularities. For instance on a holiday, and there is a fault in a plant that needs immediate attention you can be phoned in to check the problem and resolve it.
Michel Helmy
Senior Associate
9
Answers
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Updated
Michel’s Answer
I tried a manufacturing job and it was not my cup of tea.
From my experience it honestly depends a lot on the location of the job and the employer and numerous factors but the main disadvantages in my opinion are as follows.
It probably is labor-intensive. You're probably at the site, standing and walking most of the day. Doing physical activity.
Most sites are usually in the outskirts or even further which takes time and effort to travel to it. Also if transportation is not provided, money too.
The jobs are usually pretty systematic with no area for creativity. Same thing every day, day in and day out.
Usually, the sites are very prone to weather conditions such as heat and cold which is not the most convenient for some people.
From my experience it honestly depends a lot on the location of the job and the employer and numerous factors but the main disadvantages in my opinion are as follows.
It probably is labor-intensive. You're probably at the site, standing and walking most of the day. Doing physical activity.
Most sites are usually in the outskirts or even further which takes time and effort to travel to it. Also if transportation is not provided, money too.
The jobs are usually pretty systematic with no area for creativity. Same thing every day, day in and day out.
Usually, the sites are very prone to weather conditions such as heat and cold which is not the most convenient for some people.
Karli Boeckmann
Tax Associate
2
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Karli’s Answer
I would say it could be labor-intensive and require a lot of skills & training. If you are willing to put in the work, that won't be a problem!