Senior Designer

TRP RECRUITMENT; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design-led fashion business in Manchester is seeking a Senior Designer to take full ownership of knitwear design. This role offers hybrid working and requires a strong portfolio in womenswear or menswear knitwear, along with expertise in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. The Senior Designer will lead the design process from inception to product delivery, collaborating with technical teams and presenting concepts to key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Strong portfolio showcasing womenswear or menswear knitwear across various aspects.
• Proven experience designing knitwear at Senior or equivalent level.
• Excellent knowledge of yarn, fabric, and knit construction.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Responsibilities

• Owning end-to-end knitwear design from concept to production.
• Defining cohesive color, yarn, and stitch stories.
• Creating detailed tech packs and artwork.
• Leading fit sessions with Technical teams.
• Collaborating with mills and factories for quality products.
• Presenting concepts and full ranges to Buying.
• Monitoring competitor activity and performance.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Knitwear design

Commercial awareness

Presentation skills

Tools

PLM systems

Job description

We're partnering with a leading, design‑led fashion business to recruit a Senior Designer to drive the knitwear category. This is a high‑impact role with full creative ownership, shaping direction from initial concept through to signed‑off samples, delivering product that is both trend‑right and commercially strong.

Based in Manchester, you’ll join a collaborative, close‑knit design team and play a key role in defining seasonal knitwear strategy. You’ll bring confidence in presentation, a strong technical grounding, and the ability to balance creativity with commercial decision‑making.

This role offers hybrid working.

Main responsibilities

• Owning end‑to‑end knitwear design across seasonal and in‑season drops, from research and concept development through to SMS, specs, and pre‑production.
• Defining cohesive colour, yarn, and stitch stories by translating trend, street, and social insights into wearable, commercial product.
• Creating detailed, accurate tech packs and artwork to drive first‑time‑right sampling and speed to market.
• Leading fit sessions in partnership with Technical, refining blocks, measurements, and constructions to achieve consistent, flattering fits.
• Briefing, collaborating, and problem‑solving with mills and factories to deliver quality, cost‑effective product.
• Confidently presenting concepts and full ranges to Buying, supported by clear storytelling, rationale, and data‑led insights.
• Monitoring competitor activity, trading performance, and sell‑through to inform future drops and continuous improvement.

Person specification

• A strong portfolio showcasing womenswear or menswear knitwear across gauges, stitches, textures, and proven commercial bestsellers.
• Proven experience designing knitwear, ideally at Senior or equivalent level.
• Excellent yarn, fabric, and knit construction knowledge, with a practical understanding of cost drivers, margins, and commercial levers.
• Highly proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with experience using PLM systems.
• Commercially aware, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership of a key category within a fast‑paced fashion business.