Color & Material Design Manager

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

Join our Color & Material team to lead design for current and future customers of the Ford brands product line up, including Battery Electric Vehicle, Commercial vehicles, Trucks, Compact trucks, Icons, Passenger vehicle/utilities, Luxury, and Emerging Markets.

The Color & Material Vehicle Design Manager is responsible in leading a team of designers that create, curate, and deliver Color, Material and Finish (CMF) solutions that influence and enhance the current automotive landscape. This role is responsible in managing all CMF applications on the exterior and interior of the vehicles that bring a distinct look and experience to the automobile. This role will report to the CMD Director. 

This position will be located onsite in Dearborn, MI. 

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.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Color and Material Design or any other related discipline or commensurate work experience.
• Minimum 5 years of related work experience with a Master’s degree or 8 years of related work experience with a Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in Automotive CMF Design 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Industrial Design, Color and Material Design or any other related discipline
• Strategic mindset/approach is a core competency
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with diverse disciplines and levels.
• 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.
• Strong, demonstrated understanding of color theory (hue, value, chroma, etc.).
• 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.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a leadership level 6.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6NonHTHD

Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.