Colour, Material And Finishes Design Manager

About Us Ford Motor Company is constantly evolving and innovating. As part of the International Markets Group, we are committed to delivering smarter, more connected vehicles for our Global customers. Looking ahead, Ford is excited about the future. With an expanding vehicle lineup, growing digital services, and a strong dealer network, we are well-positioned to support Australian businesses in new ways. As Australia's largest automotive OEM employer, we proudly have around 1,500 talented engineers, designers, and specialists working across five Victorian sites. Crucially, Australia is a key global development hub for Ford, and our local design and engineering team lead the creation of vehicles including the Ranger, Ranger Raptor, and Everest – models sold in around 180 markets worldwide. Lead. Grow. Transform. Why Ford? For a century, we've been a driving force across Australia, building a legacy that truly speaks for itself. Leading the way, the Ranger continues its reign as Australia's No. 1 Selling Vehicle and our iconic Mustang proudly holds its position as Australia's No. 1 Sports Car. These remarkable achievements are a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and a customer‑focused approach that has delivered success across our entire lineup, giving us so much to be excited about But we believe we do more than just build award‑winning vehicles—we build careers. Benefits Discounted lease car options. Multiple Employee Resource Groups – Ford Pride, Women of Ford and Ford Empowering Diverse Abilities. Flexible Work Arrangements. Growth and development opportunities via internal and external training. Paid parental leave from day 1. Comprehensive Employee Assist Program. Wellness Programs including Free Flu Vaccinations and Health Checks. Paid volunteer days. About The Role As the Colour, Material, and Finishes (CMF) Design Manager, you will be a pivotal design leader, responsible for managing CMF Design, defining CMF product strategy, and leading a talented team to deliver new, compelling design solutions for our automotive products. In this role, you will guide your team to create, curate, and deliver CMF solutions that not only influence but also significantly enhance the current automotive landscape. You will oversee all CMF applications for both the exterior and interior of our vehicles, ensuring they bring a distinct look and an elevated sensory experience to the automobile. This position reports directly to the Chief Designer and is based at the Design Studio in Broadmeadows, operating on a hybrid schedule with four days in the office. Responsibilities Lead the creation, curation, and delivery of innovative and strategic Colour, Material, and Finish (CMF) solutions for both vehicle exteriors and interiors, guiding them from concept through to production readiness. Identify key opportunities for new colour and material developments by analysing future customer needs and emerging technologies, translating these insights into a comprehensive CMF strategic plan for implementation. Direct the analysis of future consumer trends to identify brand‑relevant CMF narratives that inform and inspire cutting‑edge CMF design solutions. Create visionary CMF concepts that embody a strong creative narrative, advanced functionality, and an innovative user experience. Coordinate artistic presentations to senior management, effectively communicating CMF design intent and strategy. Collaborate actively with the Global CMF Design organization on strategies and processes. Partner with external vendors and internal teams to translate new designs into visual samples, rigorously validating feasibility and functionality. Develop and maintain compelling digital and physical CMF presentations that clearly articulate a future vision of design intent. Build and lead a world‑class CMF design team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration where employees can reach their full potential. Be accountable for the performance and results of direct reports, and facilitate training sessions for junior / new team members in the design process. Lead the mastering group, coordinating CMF decisions on final production parts. Spearhead functional process improvements that enhance efficiencies and champion overall design goals. Experience Minimum 10 years of industry experience, with a strong background in Colour and Material Design. Education Bachelor's degree in interaction design, industrial design, graphic design, or a related technical field. Core Qualifications Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop CMF design personnel. Expert knowledge of CMF design and development processes, coupled with a deep understanding of exterior / interior manufacturing processes and materials. Demonstrated strategic and creative thinking, a clear design vision, and a high level of colour acuity. Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, enabling effective interaction with diverse disciplines and levels, both internally and externally. Strong project management skills, ability to meet timing requirements, and experience managing multiple stakeholders across complex projects. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, VRED) and Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., PowerPoint, Excel). Self‑motivated, adaptable, flexible, and capable of multi‑tasking effectively. Passionate about the automotive and mobility industry, global trends, innovation, and customer needs. Experience working within large, corporate and / or creative cultures. Proven experience presenting to executive audiences. Preferred Qualifications Keen interest and familiarity with design trends across various professions and global cultures (automotive, fashion, architectural, etc.). A design portfolio (pdf) must be provided upon application to be considered. Equal Opportunity Ford Australia is an inclusive employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. If you require any support or adjustments to the recruitment process, please contact our Talent and Inclusion Lead Sarah at (email‑protected) Applicants must be legally authorised to work in Australia. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Applications Applications will close on Sunday 11 January. However, please do not delay your application as interviews will commence before this date. Please note due to the high numbers of applications we will only be able to contact shortlisted candidates. #J-18808-Ljbffr