Knitwear Designer: Concept to Sampling (London/Manchester)

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

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.