Interior Materials & FF&E Specification Specialist

NAGA; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

NAGA Architects, Designers & Planners is seeking an Interior Materials & FF&E Specification Specialist to support the Interior Design team across residential, hospitality, and mixed-use projects in the UAE. You will research, specify, document, and coordinate interior materials, finishes, furniture, fixtures, equipment, fabrics, and decorative elements throughout the project lifecycle.

The role requires delivering well-researched, technically appropriate material selections, coordinating with

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level credential in interior design, interior architecture, or architecture.
• Proven experience with interior materials, FF&E specification, finishes, and product selection.
• Experience on residential, hospitality, or mixed-use interior design projects.
• Strong knowledge of finishes, fabrics, furnishings, and decorative elements.
• Understanding of durability, fire ratings, maintenance, slip/moisture resistance, sustainability, and acoustic performance.
• Experience creating detailed material, finishes, and FF&E schedules and docs.
• Knowledge of local and international suppliers is advantageous.
• Ability to coordinate with suppliers, contractors, procurement, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent documentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple materials across projects and stages.
• Strong communication and coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Research, select, and specify interior materials including stone, tiles, timber, veneers, laminates, metal finishes, wall finishes, flooring, upholstery, fabrics, carpets, and specialist finishes.
• Develop detailed FF&E specifications for loose furniture, decorative lighting, rugs, accessories, window treatments, and other interior elements.
• Specify upholstery fabrics, curtains, sheers, cushions, leather, performance textiles, and hospitality-grade fabrics where required.
• Prepare and maintain detailed material, finishes, and FF&E schedules with manufacturer, supplier, product reference, colour, finish, dimensions, and technical requirements.
• Prepare specification sheets, cut sheets, material boards, sample boards, and digital material presentations.
• Coordinate material/FF&E selections with overall interior design concepts for consistency across spaces.
• Review materials for durability, fire ratings, slip resistance, moisture resistance, sustainability, and acoustic performance.
• Source products from local and international suppliers and maintain a supplier library.
• Liaise with suppliers to obtain samples, data, certifications, pricing, lead times, and availability.
• Support design with value engineering and alternative material selections while preserving design quality.
• Coordinate specifications with architectural, joinery, lighting, sanitaryware, kitchen, and other packages.
• Review supplier/contractor submittals against approved specs.
• Assist with mock-up reviews, samples approvals, and material inspections.
• Maintain up-to-date specification records throughout design development and tender stages.
• Monitor discontinued or unavailable products and propose replacements.
• Support procurement/site teams by clarifying material/FF&E specs in later stages.

Skills

Interior Materials & Finishes

FF&E Specification

Hospitality Materials & FF&E

Material Research & Selection

Product Sourcing

FF&E and Finishes Schedules

Technical Specifications

Supplier & Manufacturer Coordination

Material Submittals

Value Engineering

Sample & Mock-up Review

Design & Technical Coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design/Interior Architecture/Architecture or related discipline

Job description

About NAGA

NAGA Architects, Designers & Planners is a leading multidisciplinary consultancy delivering innovative architectural, engineering, and planning solutions across the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Our portfolio spans hospitality, residential, commercial, healthcare, mixed-use, industrial, and large-scale developments. We are committed to technical excellence, innovation, and delivering sustainable engineering solutions that shape the built environment.

About the Role

NAGA is looking for an Interior Materials & FF&E Specification Specialist to support the Interior Design team across residential, hospitality, and mixed-use projects.

The role will be responsible for the research, selection, specification, documentation, and coordination of interior materials, finishes, furniture, fixtures, equipment, fabrics, and decorative elements throughout the project lifecycle.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Interior Design team from concept through detailed design and tender stages, ensuring that materials and FF&E selections meet the project's design intent, positioning, budget, performance requirements, and applicable technical standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, select, and specify interior materials including stone, tiles, timber, veneers, laminates, metal finishes, wall finishes, flooring, upholstery, fabrics, carpets, and specialist finishes.
• Develop detailed FF&E specifications for loose furniture, decorative lighting, rugs, accessories, window treatments, and other interior elements.
• Specify upholstery fabrics, curtains, sheers, cushions, leather, performance textiles, and hospitality-grade fabrics where required.
• Prepare and maintain detailed material, finishes, and FF&E schedules, including manufacturer, supplier, product reference, colour, finish, dimensions, technical requirements, and approved alternatives.
• Prepare specification sheets, cut sheets, material boards, sample boards, and digital material presentations.
• Coordinate material and FF&E selections with the overall interior design concept and maintain consistency across spaces, room types, and project packages.
• Review materials for suitability based on durability, maintenance, fire rating, slip resistance, moisture resistance, sustainability, acoustic performance, and other project-specific requirements.
• Source products and materials from local and international suppliers and maintain an updated material and supplier library.
• Liaise with suppliers to obtain samples, technical data, certifications, pricing, lead times, and product availability.
• Support the design team with value engineering and alternative material selections while maintaining the intended design quality.
• Coordinate specifications with architectural, joinery, lighting, sanitaryware, kitchen, and other relevant packages.
• Review supplier and contractor material submittals against approved design specifications.
• Assist with mock-up reviews, sample approvals, and material inspections when required.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date specification records throughout design development and tender/IFC stages.
• Monitor discontinued or unavailable products and propose suitable replacement options.
• Support procurement and site teams by providing clarification on material and FF&E specifications during later project stages.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in interior materials, FF&E specification, finishes, and product selection.
• Experience working on residential, hospitality, or mixed-use interior design projects.
• Strong knowledge of interior finishes, materials, fabrics, furniture, fixtures, and decorative elements.
• Good understanding of material performance requirements, including fire ratings, durability, maintenance, slip resistance, moisture resistance, sustainability, and acoustic performance.
• Experience preparing detailed material, finishes, and FF&E schedules and specification documentation.
• Strong knowledge of local and international suppliers and manufacturers is an advantage.
• Experience coordinating with suppliers, contractors, procurement teams, and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent documentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple materials, products, and specifications across different projects and design stages.
• Strong communication and coordination skills.

Key Skills

• Interior Materials & Finishes
• FF&E Specification
• Hospitality Materials & FF&E
• Material Research & Selection
• Product Sourcing
• FF&E and Finishes Schedules
• Technical Specifications
• Supplier & Manufacturer Coordination
• Material Submittals
• Value Engineering
• Sample & Mock-up Review
• Design & Technical Coordination

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who has a strong eye for materials and finishes but is equally comfortable with the technical and documentation side of specifications. The ideal candidate understands how to translate an interior design concept into well-researched, technically appropriate, and properly documented material and FF&E selections.