Job Production: Definition, Examples & Advantages (2024)

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Job production is the opposite of mass production. Instead of producing a large number of products at a time, job manufacturers focus on creating only one unique good. As a result, the product is of higher quality and tailors to the specific need of the customer. In today's article, let's discuss what job production is and how it works.

Job Production Definition

Job production is one of the primary production methods adopted by organisations worldwide, along with flow production and just-in-time production.

Job production is a production method where only one product is completed at a time. Each order is unique and meets the specific requirements of the customer. It is often called jobbing or one-off production.

Examples of job production include an artist drawing a portrait, an architect creating a custom home plan, or an aerospace manufacturer building a spacecraft.

The production of the given product only starts when an order is made. Also, each order is unique and has to meet the specific requirements of the customer. Those engaged in job production can only work on one order at a time. Once an order is completed, another is initiated.

Features of job production

Job production produces one-off, personalised goods rather than mass-market items.

Those working in job production are referred to as jobbers. Jobbers can be highly-skilled individuals who specialise in one craft - such as photographers, painters, or barbers - or a group of workers within a company, such as a group of engineers building spacecraft.

Job production tends to be undertaken by a single professional or a small firm. However, many larger companies can engage in job production. While some job production services are basic and involve little use of technology, others are complex and require advanced technology.

It only takes a small group of marketing professionals to initiate a marketing campaign, whereas it can take thousands of engineers and workers to build an aircraft.

Job production can be financially rewarding since customers are willing to pay more for the personalised product or service. But this also means manufacturers have to invest more time and effort in creating a supreme product that meets specific requirements.

Boeing is one of the world's largest aircraft manufacturers. In 2019, the company generated $76.5 billion in revenues by fulfilling commercial aircraft orders for airlines around the world.¹ However, the cost to produce each Boeing can reach up to hundreds of millions of US dollars.²

Due to personalisation, products made with job production tend to bring more customer satisfaction. However, it's difficult to find replacements or spare parts. If one part is missing or broken, the owner may have to replace it with an entirely new item.

To succeed in job production, companies need to first come up with a set of clear objectives and specifications (descriptions of the design). They should also work hard to build a reputable brand image and ensure all customers are happy with what they receive. Satisfied customers will become brand evangelists who give the company free word-of-mouth advertising or referrals.

Job production examples

Job production is used to create personalised, unique products. It is prominent in various industries and is adapted in low-tech as well as in high-tech production. Therefore, it is applied in handmade crafts like custom furniture production and in building ships or software development. Let's take a look at more examples!

Low-tech job production

Low-tech jobs are jobs that require little technology or equipment. The production takes up little space and needs only one or a few individuals to perform the task. Also, the skills are usually easy to learn.

Examples of low-tech job production include:

• Custom dressmaking

• Wedding cakes

• Painting

• Construction

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Fig. 1 - Painting is an example of a low-tech production job

High-tech production jobs

High-tech jobs require more advanced technology and equipment to get the job done. The processes are complex, time-consuming, and labour-intensive. Workers in these job production plants tend to have highly specialised skills.

Examples of high-tech job production:

• Spaceship building

• Film production

• Software development

A real-life example:

Falcon 9 is a reusable rocket designed by SpaceX to take humans into space and back. Reusability allows SpaceX to reuse the most expensive parts of launched rockets for new ones and brings down the cost of space exploration. Falcon 9s are manufactured in SpaceX's headquarters factory, which spans over 1 million square feet with a maximum production rate of 40 rocket cores per year (2013).³

Fig. 2 - SpaceX rocket production is an example of a high-tech job production

Advantages and disadvantages of job production

There are both advantages and disadvantages to job production.

Table 1 - Advantages and disadvantages of job production

Let's take a look at them in more detail!

Advantages of job production

• High-quality products due to small-scale and focused production

• Personalised products bring in more revenue and customer satisfaction

• Higher job satisfaction due to employees’ strong commitment to the tasks

• More flexibility compared to mass production

Disadvantages of job production

The disadvantages of job production depend if you are a manufacturer or a consumer. If you are a manufacturer, you will be concerned about:

• Higher costs to employ high-skilled workers

• Production can take up a lot of time and resources

• Specialised machines are needed for complex items

• A lot of calculations or assessment needs to be made before the work is carried out

From the perspective of a consumer, you will be worried about:

• Higher fees for personalised products

• Difficulty in finding replacements since the products are uniquely designed

• Longer waiting times to receive the final product

Job production is the production of one-off, unique products tailored to the specific needs of the customers. Instead of juggling two or more tasks at a time, 'jobbers' concentrate on only one task. The main benefit of job production is to ensure the highest quality of the product produced and improve customer satisfaction. However, due to unique features, production can take a lot of time and resources.

Sources:

1. Staff, 'About Boeing Commercial Airplanes', boeing.com, 2022.

2. Erick Burgueño Salas, 'Average prices for Boeing aircraft as of March 2021 by type', statista.com, 2021.

3. Staff, 'Production at SpaceX', spacex.com, 2013.

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