Designer - Menswear Knitwear

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

Job summary

A Manchester-based fashion brand is seeking a Menswear Knitwear Designer to lead the design process across knitwear. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical understanding of knitwear materials, a contemporary portfolio, and collaborative communication skills. This role involves developing a balanced knitwear range and translating trends into designs that resonate with customers.

Qualifications

• Portfolio demonstrating contemporary menswear or boyswear knitwear.
• Strong yarn/fabric knowledge and construction understanding.
• Fit-focused with a sharp eye for proportion and detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end design process across knitwear.
• Build a balanced knitwear range with good/better/best architecture.
• Translate trend insights into relevant colour, yarn, stitch, and silhouette stories.

Skills

Strong presentation skills

Technical understanding of knitwear

Yarn and sustainability knowledge

Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator

Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop

Collaboration in cross-functional teams

Tools

PLM software

Job description

We're partnering with a fast-growing Manchester-based brand to appoint a Menswear Knitwear Designer. This role is for a trend lead, strong Designer who can balance innovation with commercial clarity, with the ability to own the knit category from concept through to signed‑off samples.

You will be part of a tight knit team, they are looking for someone confident with strong presentation skills, a strong technical understanding of knitwear, yarns and sustainability.

Main responsibilities will include:

• Leading the end‑to‑end design process across knitwear.
• Building a balanced knitwear range (core, fashion, statement) with good/better/best architecture.
• Translating trend and cultural insight into relevant colour, yarn, stitch, and silhouette stories for the brand's customer.
• Developing knit blocks and fits; running fittings with Technical to lock standards and consistency across sizes.
• Creating precise tech packs, stitch diagrams, and artwork to drive accurate, on‑time sampling.
• Briefing mills on yarn choices (cotton, merino, cashmere blends, recycled fibres) and finishes; troubleshooting handle, pilling, and shrinkage.
• Presenting concepts, trends and designs with clear storytelling.
• Monitoring relevant competitor market and performance as well as aspirational Designers.

Person specification:

• A portfolio demonstrating contemporary menswear and / or boyswear knitwear across gauges, stitches, and proven bestsellers.
• Strong yarn/fabric knowledge and construction understanding, with practical awareness of cost drivers.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop and PLM.
• Fit‑focused with sharp eye for proportion and detail; comfortable leading fit sessions and solving issues.
• Collaborative communicator who thrives in cross‑functional teams and moves fast without losing precision.
• Commercial yet curious‐able to turn references into product that sells while pushing the category forward.