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- Tasks: Lead innovative CMF design projects and create stunning proposals across various media.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking automotive company with a focus on creativity and collaboration.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a chance to lead projects and collaborate with top stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the automotive industry with your creative design skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in CMF design and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 ÂŁ per year.
We are seeking a Lead CMF Designer to join the Colour and Trim function, reporting directly to the Head of Colour and Trim. This role will support innovation‑focused projects, including coachbuild activity, and will involve creating and leading CMF design solutions for new products across 2D, 3D and digital media. As a Lead CMF Designer, you will develop creative, functional and brand‑led design proposals that meet agreed technical, ergonomic and quality requirements. The role requires strong collaboration across internal departments, suppliers, cross‑functional teams and senior stakeholders. This is a senior opportunity for a confident CMF designer with experience leading projects, presenting at director level and delivering innovative colour, material and finish solutions within an automotive environment.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead colour, materials and finishes design development activity across innovation‑led projects.
- Create and deliver design proposals, concepts and solutions across 2D, 3D and digital media.
- Support coach build and future product projects through research, benchmarking and creative design development.
- Develop CMF solutions that reflect brand values, design strategy, innovation and creativity.
- Ensure design proposals meet agreed visual, technical and ergonomic requirements.
- Work collaboratively with internal departments, internal teams, external suppliers and cross‑functional stakeholders.
- Attend online supplier meetings and support communication across project teams.
- Prepare and deliver design presentations, including to director‑level stakeholders.
- Lead design development proposals in‑house or in cooperation with external partners.
- Provide evidence‑led creative direction and communicate confidently in a business‑focused way with peers, colleagues and senior stakeholders.
- Contribute to project delivery, problem solving and the achievement of design objectives.
- Support continuous innovation across colour, materials and finishes, including sustainability‑led thinking.
Requirements Of The Role
- Experience within a CMF, colour and trim, or wider design environment.
- Proven experience as a Lead CMF Designer, Senior CMF Designer, Lead Designer or Senior Designer within an automotive setting.
- Strong understanding of materials and their application within CMF design.
- Ideally experienced in an Automotive environment.
- Evidence of leading projects, taking responsibility and delivering successful outcomes.
- Ability to communicate and present design direction to suppliers, peers, cross‑functional teams and senior stakeholders.
- Experience preparing and presenting design proposals at senior or director level.
- Design‑based degree or equivalent experience, ideally in product design, interior design, fashion, materials, CMF or a related discipline.
- Understanding of feasibility and production methodology.
- Strong Photoshop skills.
- VRED knowledge is desirable; expert‑level experience is not essential.
- 2D and 3D IT skills, including Photoshop and 3D CAD software.
Lead CMF Designer in Crewe employer: Apex Recruitment - Leamington Spa
Contact Detail:
Apex Recruitment - Leamington Spa Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead CMF Designer in Crewe
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Lead CMF Designer role.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
Make sure your portfolio is up-to-date and showcases your best work. When you get the chance to meet potential employers or collaborators, bring it along! We want to see your creative flair and how you’ve tackled CMF design challenges in the past.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and understanding their design philosophy. We recommend practising your presentation skills too, especially if you’ll be presenting to senior stakeholders. Confidence is key, so show them why you’re the perfect fit for the Lead CMF Designer position!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make your dream job a reality together!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead CMF Designer in Crewe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your CMF Skills: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in CMF design. We want to see how you've led projects and delivered innovative solutions in the automotive world. Don't hold back on showcasing your creative flair!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to customise your application for this role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand what we're looking for. This shows us that you're genuinely interested and have done your homework!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and long-winded explanations. Make it easy for us to see your qualifications and why you'd be a great fit for the Lead CMF Designer role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved!
How to prepare for a job interview at Apex Recruitment - Leamington Spa
✨Know Your CMF Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of colour, materials, and finishes. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, especially in an automotive context. Prepare examples that showcase your innovative design solutions and how they align with brand values.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead CMF Designer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead projects and collaborate with various teams. Think of specific instances where you've successfully led a project or presented to senior stakeholders. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve navigated challenges in cross-functional settings.
✨Prepare for Design Presentations
Since you'll be presenting design proposals to director-level stakeholders, practice your presentation skills. Create a mock presentation of a past project, focusing on how you communicated your design direction and the rationale behind your choices. This will help you feel more confident during the actual interview.
✨Stay Current with Trends
Keep yourself updated on the latest trends in CMF design and sustainability within the automotive industry. Be prepared to discuss how these trends can influence your design proposals. Showing that you're forward-thinking and aware of industry shifts will impress your interviewers.