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Lead CMF Designer
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Rate: Dependent on experience
Location: Crewe: Hybrid: 3 days onsite per week, with flexibility required in line with business needs
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Inside IR35 Until 30th June 2027
Role Summary
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 and 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.
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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.
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Please note, this role is deemed inside IR35. The Umbrella Pay Rate offered is inclusive of the Assignment pay rate, holiday pay and Apex Recruitment's contribution towards Employer Costs.
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