Designer - Knitwear

TRP RECRUITMENT; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Knitwear Designer for their London office with responsibilities including designing seasonal knitwear, collaborating with technical teams, and managing samples. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in knitwear, proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, and the ability to balance creativity with commercial needs. This role offers the chance to contribute significantly to developing brand-right knitwear collections, ensuring designs meet market standards and quality expectations.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Knitwear Designer or strong knitwear focus within a wider design role.
• Strong knowledge of yarn types, gauges, stitches, and garment engineering.
• Confident in creating detailed tech packs and communicating with suppliers.
• Understanding of the full product lifecycle from concept to production.
• Ability to balance creativity with customer needs and margin targets.
• Organised and proactive with excellent time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Design seasonal knitwear ranges aligned to brand aesthetics and commercial needs.
• Research trends, yarns, stitches, and techniques to inform design.
• Create clear design packs including sketches and construction details.
• Collaborate with teams to develop swatches and prototypes ensuring quality.
• Attend fit sessions and product reviews, updating designs in response to feedback.
• Work closely with suppliers to manage sampling and timelines.
• Select yarns and trims considering cost and sustainability.
• Ensure designs are delivered on time and within targets while maintaining quality.

Skills

Knit construction knowledge

Garment engineering

Adobe Illustrator proficiency

Time management

Tools

PLM systems

Job description

We are looking for a Knitwear Designer to join a growing team, based in their London office, with fortnightly travel to their Manchester office.

This role will take ownership of knitwear design from concept through to final sampling, working closely with technical, merchandising and production partners to deliver commercially strong, brand-right knitwear collections.

This role is open to menswear, womenswear and childrenswear Knitwear designers from either a retail or supplier.

Responsibilities

• Designing seasonal knitwear ranges aligned to the brand's aesthetic, customer profile and commercial needs
• Researching trends, yarns, stitches, techniques, silhouettes and key market competitors to inform design direction
• Creating clear design packs including sketches, technical drawings, stitch call-outs, measurements and construction details
• Collaborating with technical/design teams to develop knit-downs, swatches and prototypes, ensuring fit, hand-feel and quality meet expectations
• Attending fit sessions and product reviews, updating designs and tech packs in response to feedback
• Working closely with suppliers/factories to manage sampling, timelines and critical path milestones
• Selecting yarns and trims, considering cost, performance, sustainability and availability
• Ensuring designs are delivered on time and within target margin, while maintaining brand integrity and product quality

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Knitwear Designer (or strong knitwear focus within a wider womenswear/menswear design role)
• Strong knowledge of knit construction, yarn types, gauges, stitches and garment engineering
• Confident creating detailed, factory-ready tech packs and communicating clearly with suppliers
• Strong understanding of the full product lifecycle: concept, development, sampling, fitting and production
• Commercial eye with the ability to balance creativity with customer needs, price architecture and margin targets
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and design tools (and comfortable working with PLM systems where applicable)
• Organised and proactive, with excellent time management skills