General Motors

Creative Design Group - Design Quality

General Motors • $95K — $115K *
Warren, MI 48089In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Design, Engineering, or related field.
  • Exceptional visual color acuity.
  • 5+ years of experience in automotive appearance or materials development.
  • Experience in evaluating color, grain, gloss, and haptic characteristics.
  • Demonstrated ability to assess materials for appearance attributes and quality.
  • Broad understanding of material types and their performance characteristics.
  • Strong interpersonal skills for collaboration and influence at all organization levels.

Responsibilities

  • Lead end-to-end material development for assigned commodities across all GM brands and vehicle programs.
  • Deliver developments meeting design intent and appearance quality standards.
  • Partner with suppliers to refine material submissions based on construction and color attributes.
  • Collaborate with CMF Designers to establish targets for new colors and materials.
  • Create and maintain trim transmittals in the GRANTA system.
  • Track development status for programs and meet milestones on time.
  • Research and evaluate new materials and technologies for future products.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work across multiple GM brands and global programs.
  • Exposure to cross-functional teams, enhancing collaborative skills.
  • Direct involvement with material suppliers and design teams.
  • Chance to influence appearance quality standards in a reputable automotive company.
  • Engagement in continuous process improvement initiatives.
Full Job Description

Job Description

The CMF Appearance Quality Development Lead drives the development and delivery of assigned material commodities from early design intent through production launch. This role ensures that color, grain, gloss, and haptic characteristics meet the highest standards for appearance quality and program requirements while bringing the CMF vision to life across GM vehicle programs and brands.

Working at the intersection of design, engineering, purchasing, suppliers, and global teams, the Development Lead translates design targets into production-ready materials. This includes guiding supplier development, validating materials, establishing production approval masters, approving second-source solutions, supporting launch activities, and advancing material strategies, technologies, and continuous-improvement initiatives.

What You'll Do

  • Lead end-to-end material development for assigned commodities across all GM brands and vehicle programs.

  • Deliver material developments that meet design intent, appearance quality standards, and production program requirements.

  • Partner directly with material suppliers to review and refine material submissions for construction, color, and other appearance attributes.

  • Collaborate with CMF Designers to establish and achieve appearance targets for new colors and materials

  • Maintain CMF brand and material strategies, ensuring alignment across the global portfolio.

  • Collaborate with Materials Engineering on new material development, technical readiness, and issue resolution.

  • Create and maintain trim transmittals in the GRANTA system.

  • Track development status for assigned programs and deliver milestones on time.

  • Support program development status reviews and production approval master readiness activities.

  • Proactively identify, escalate, and resolve issues related to assigned commodities.

  • Partner with Thierry to review and approve master samples.

  • Support the Appearance Quality Appearance Definition team and the CTDAR process.

  • Support the Appearance Quality Launch team throughout the Appearance Approval Review process.

  • Coordinate with regional counterparts to align and execute global material developments.

  • Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with internal partners and external suppliers.

  • Research and evaluate new materials and technologies to enhance future product offerings.

  • Participate in cross-functional projects and continuous process-improvement initiatives.

Your Skills and Abilities (Required Qualifications)

  • Bachelor's degree in Design, Engineering, or a related discipline.

  • Exceptional visual color acuity.

  • 5+ years of experience in automotive appearance or materials development

  • Experience evaluating and developing color, grain, gloss, and haptic characteristics.

  • Demonstrated ability to visually assess materials for appearance attributes and quality concerns.

  • Automotive product experience in color and trim, materials development, or a related field.

  • Broad understanding of material types and their performance characteristics.

  • Working knowledge of material manufacturing processes.

  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels of an organization.

  • Ability to interact positively and professionally with internal and external partners.

  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective cross-functional relationships.

  • Strong project and program management skills, including disciplined follow-through.

  • Highly detail-oriented, organized, and effective at prioritizing work.

  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

  • Ability to create and deliver clear, compelling presentations to leadership.

  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively across functions and global regions.

  • Creativity, curiosity, and an innovative mindset.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

  • Knowledge and experience across a variety of material commodities

  • Previous experience developing color and material masters

About General Motors

General Motors Company engages in the manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. It offers sedans, crossovers, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, coupes, sports/convertibles and hybrid vehicles, hatchbacks/wagons, and vans, as well as mini cars in India. The company also provides parts and accessories, such as iPod and MP3 compatibility, mobility accessories, performance parts, AC parts and services, and merchandise. In addition, it offers vehicle safety, security, and information services. The company provides used vehicles. It offers its products through dealers and distributors. General Motors Company was formerly known as NGMCO, Inc. and changed its name to General Motors Company in July 2009. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. It operates manufacturing facilities in India, the United States, and Canada. General Motors Company operates as a subsidiary of the United States Department of The Treasury. General Motors led global vehicle sales for 77 consecutive years from 1931 through 2007, longer than any other automaker, and is currently among the world's largest automakers by vehicle unit sales. General Motors acts in most countries outside the USA via wholly-owned subsidiaries but operates in China through 10 joint ventures. GM's OnStar subsidiary provides vehicle safety, security, and information services. In 2009, General Motors shed several brands, closing Saturn, Pontiac, and Hummer, and emerged from a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization. In 2010, GM made an initial public offering IPOs to date and returned to profitability later that year.

General Motors Careers

Join the dynamic team at General Motors, a global leader in automotive innovation and technology. At General Motors, we offer unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career forward while contributing to a legacy of engineering excellence.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career with General Motors to drive the future of mobility. Our team is dedicated to redefining the automotive landscape through innovation and leadership in electric vehicles and sustainable solutions. By joining us, you will be part of a culture that values diversity, teamwork, and continuous professional growth.

Transform Your Career

General Motors is not just a company; it's a community where you can grow your skills alongside the best in the industry. Our leadership is committed to providing every employee—from interns to senior professionals—with opportunities for career advancement, leadership development, and diversity training.

Innovate and Lead

At General Motors, innovation is at the core of everything we do. From research and development to manufacturing, our teams work collaboratively to lead the industry with cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. We encourage our employees to think big and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Join Our Global Team

As part of our global workforce, you will collaborate with talented individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of transportation. General Motors offers a variety of career paths in engineering, design, IT, marketing, and more. With over 155,000 employees worldwide, our network provides expansive opportunities for networking and professional development.

Internship Programs and Employment Benefits

Start your career journey with a General Motors internship, where you can apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects. Our internships provide a robust foundation in the automotive industry, with mentorship from experienced leaders. Full-time employees enjoy a wealth of benefits, including comprehensive health care, retirement plans, and performance bonuses, ensuring that your hard work is rewarded.

Explore Job Opportunities

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, General Motors offers positions that leverage your unique skills. Our hiring process is designed to identify and nurture talent, focusing on aligning your capabilities with the right opportunities for growth within the company.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. At General Motors, we look for innovative, driven, and solution-oriented team players. Explore the possibilities that await you in a career at General Motors.

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Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities available at General Motors. Embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and leadership at General Motors. Shape your future in an environment that fosters diversity, learning, and the pursuit of excellence. Join us and redefine the roads of tomorrow.
Learn more about General Motors
Size
157,000 employees
Market Cap
$46.9 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
$6.4 billion
Founded
1908
5 Year Trend
-3.2%
Revenue
$122.4 billion
NASDAQ
GM
* Ladders Estimates

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