Colour Material Finish Design Manager

About the role

The Colour Material Finish (CMF) Design Manager will define the colour, material and finish aesthetic for Etihad’s guest experience across ground services and aircraft cabins. Working with external consultants and internal teams, the manager translates the Etihad brand into tangible CMF concepts that shape every touch‑point of the journey.

Key responsibilities

• Define the material aesthetic and tactile direction for the Etihad guest experience, creating a holistic CMF strategy across multiple touch‑points.
• Lead material innovation initiatives, identifying opportunities and developing strategic concepts for soft and hard products.
• Provide CMF design for onboard soft products, amenities, new aircraft seats, cabin projects and architectural environments.
• Manage product and material development with internal partners and external suppliers, overseeing new soft‑product introductions and material upgrades.
• Partner with project leads across Brand, Cabin Interiors, Product & Hospitality, and Cabin Crew & Service teams to ensure alignment.
• Create and maintain CMF guidelines and an on‑site material library, including digital and physical databases of industry‑relevant samples.
• Establish and nurture supplier relationships, coordinating visits and demonstrations for new product development.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Interior, Transportation, Textile or Graphic Design with a focus on colour, material and finish.
• Minimum 7 years of CMF design experience in a consultancy or in‑house role, preferably within aviation, automotive, hospitality or related guest‑experience industries.
• Strong understanding of material properties for soft goods, seats, aircraft cabins and architectural environments.
• Proven ability to translate brand strategy into compelling CMF concepts and to lead cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent visual, written and verbal presentation skills, with the capacity to create 2D sketches and detailed 3D renderings.