Designer - Knitwear

The Retail Partnership Ltd; Manchester, Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion design company is seeking a Knitwear Designer to join their team in London, with travel to Manchester. This position involves designing seasonal knitwear collections, conducting market research, and collaborating closely with technical and production teams. Ideal candidates will have strong experience in knit design and an eye for commercial viability. Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator is required, making this a great opportunity for creative individuals passionate about knitwear.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Knitwear Designer or relevant design role.
• Strong knowledge of yarn types, gauges, and stitches.
• Exceptional communication with suppliers for clear tech packs.

Responsibilities

• Design seasonal knitwear ranges aligned with brand aesthetics.
• Research trends and key competitors for informed design direction.
• Create detailed design packs including sketches and technical details.
• Collaborate with teams to develop prototypes ensuring quality.
• Manage timelines and critical path milestones with suppliers.

Skills

Knitwear design expertise

Knowledge of knit construction

Ability to create tech packs

Understanding of product lifecycle

Commercial acumen

Adobe Illustrator proficiency

Excellent time management

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

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.

Main responsibilities will include:

• 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

Person specification:

• 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