Knitwear Designer

The Retail Partnership Ltd; Loughborough; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

TRP Recruitment Limited is seeking an experienced Knitwear Designer to develop a commercial ladieswear knitwear range for leading high street retailers in the UK. You will manage key customer accounts, drive concept development from research to production, and create high-quality CADs and compelling presentations using Illustrator and related tools.

The role requires strong knitwear technical knowledge, collaboration with UK and international factories, and a proactive, travel-enabled mindset in

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of experience in a Knitwear Designer role within the fashion industry.
• Strong ladieswear knitwear background, with ability to adapt across menswear and childrenswear when required.
• Previous experience working with UK high street retailers is essential.
• Experience working with Near East and Far East factories would be highly advantageous.
• Excellent technical knitwear knowledge, including yarn counts, gauge and number of ends.
• Highly organised and capable of managing accounts and communications independently.
• Advanced CAD and Adobe Illustrator skills with a strong eye for presentation and detail.
• Confident communicator with excellent presentation and relationship-building skills.
• Passionate about knitwear, product development and delivering commercially successful ranges.
• Flexible and willing to travel for customer meetings, shopping trips and factory visits.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a car is essential due to the office location. Thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment and enjoys being part of a busy and growing business

Responsibilities

• Designing and developing a commercial ladieswear knitwear range for leading high street retailers.
• Creating innovative and trend-led knitwear concepts from initial research through to final production.
• Managing customer accounts independently, building strong relationships, and serving as the key point of contact throughout development.
• Producing high-quality CADs and presentations using Adobe Illustrator and related design software.
• Working closely with UK customers and overseas factories to ensure products meet the highest standards.
• Collaborating with sourcing, technical and production teams to deliver ranges on time and within customer expectations.
• Attending customer meetings, shopping trips, trend research visits and factory visits as required.
• Monitoring market trends, competitor activity and new developments within the knitwear sector.
• Presenting seasonal concepts, yarn developments and product proposals to customers and internal teams.

Skills

Knitwear design

Adobe Illustrator

CAD

Presentation skills

Account management

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

CAD software

Job description

An exciting opportunity to join a highly respected and successful knitwear supplier with an outstanding reputation supplying major retailers,

You will have the opportunity to join a passionate and creative team in a fast-paced environment

Main Responsibilities Will Include

• Designing and developing a commercial ladieswear knitwear range for leading high street retailers.
• Creating innovative and trend-led knitwear concepts from initial research through to final production.
• Managing customer accounts independently, building strong relationships, and serving as the key point of contact throughout development.
• Producing high-quality CADs and presentations using Adobe Illustrator and related design software.
• Working closely with UK customers and overseas factories to ensure products meet the highest standards.
• Collaborating with sourcing, technical and production teams to deliver ranges on time and within customer expectations.
• Attending customer meetings, shopping trips, trend research visits and factory visits as required.
• Monitoring market trends, competitor activity and new developments within the knitwear sector.
• Presenting seasonal concepts, yarn developments and product proposals to customers and internal teams.

Person Specification

• Minimum 4 years' experience in a Knitwear Designer role within the fashion industry.
• Strong ladieswear knitwear background, with the ability to adapt across menswear and childrenswear when required.
• Previous experience working with UK high street retailers is essential.
• Experience working with both Near East and Far East factories would be highly advantageous.
• Excellent technical knitwear knowledge, including yarn counts, gauge and number of ends.
• Highly organised and capable of managing accounts and communications independently.
• Advanced CAD and Adobe Illustrator skills with a strong eye for presentation and detail.
• Confident communicator with excellent presentation and relationship-building skills.
• Passionate about knitwear, product development and delivering commercially successful ranges.
• Flexible and willing to travel for customer meetings, shopping trips and factory visits.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a car is essential due to the office location. Thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment and enjoys being part of a busy and growing business