Color & Material Design

Responsibilities

As a Color and Material Design Manager you will:

• Manage creation, curation, and delivery of innovative and strategic Color, Material and Finish (CMF) solutions for the exterior and interior of the vehicles.
• Identify opportunities for key new color and material developments through understanding of future customer needs and available new key technologies to create CMF strategic plan for implementation. 
• Create CMF concepts that embody a creative narrative, advanced functionality, and innovative user experience.
• Direct analysis of future consumer trends to identify brand relevant CMF narratives that inform cutting-edge CMF design solutions.
• Lead exterior and interior color creation, development and execution for model year across the product portfolio for both Ford and Lincoln. 
• Drive strategic plan for integration of CMF into vehicle line programs in partnership with C+M Director, C+M Vehicle Program leaders and Interior/Exterior Design leaders. 
• Collaborate with external vendors and internal teams to translate new designs into visual samples to validate feasibility and functionality. 
• Create and maintain development of digital and physical CMF presentations that show a future vision of design intent.
• Spearhead functional process improvements that enhance efficiencies and that champion design goals.
• Accountable for performance and results of direct reports, and facilitates training sessions to train junior/new members in the design process.
• Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration where employees can reach their full potential.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Color and Material Design or any other related discipline or commensurate work experience.
• 10+ years of related work experience.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse disciplines and levels.
• Strategic mindset/approach is a core competency
• Highly collaborative and proactive both internally and externally.
• Demonstrates a high level of color acuity
• Strong, demonstrated understanding of color theory (hue, value, chroma, etc.).
• Experience in Automotive CMF Design 
• Portfolio must be provided

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Industrial Design, Color and Material Design or any other related discipline
• Highly collaborative and proactive both internally and externally.
• Demonstrates a high level of color acuity
• Expert ability to effectively communicate in a wide range of formats for presenting future design strategies. 
• Expert knowledge of the Colors and Materials design process.
• Expert level knowledge of CMF associated with the development process.
• Must be self-motivated, adaptable, flexible, and able to multi-task.
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• Proficient in Adobe Suit tools (i.e. Photoshop, Illustrator, VRED) and Microsoft Suit tools (i.e. PowerPoint, Excel)
• Expertise and knowledge of 3D prototyping, property builds, etc.