We design a band-selective near-unity absorber for mid-infrared frequencies based on the strong interference of light in an ultra-thin bi-layered system comprising of a metal-dielectric composite material known as cermet, and a plasmonic reflecting substrate. The design involves the use of the inclusion of tungsten nano-particles in a porous dielectric matrix of alumina (Al2O3) as the top cermet layer, and a plasmonic material such as indium doped tin oxide (ITO) as the reflecting substrate. Effective dielectric permittivity of the cermet is calculated using Bruggeman effective medium theory. The thickness and metal filling fraction of the cermet is optimized to produce high absorption for bands spanning across mid-infrared wavelength to long-wave infrared (LWIR) wavelength. The spectral selectivity of the absorption resonances is controlled by the thickness, and the filling fraction of the metallic inclusions in the cermet. The bilayer system exhibits polarization independent and incident angle-invariant infrared absorption response. We extended our model to an all-cermet design, where two cermet layers with a different metal filling fractions can give rise to high absorption over the mid-infrared frequency bands. As cermets have the potential to resist high temperature with rich thermal stability, the present design can be used in extreme atmospheric, and environmental conditions. In addition, the thin film geometry of the proposed design makes it possible to project the device for large area fabrication with a high throughput.