Senior Knitwear Designer - Womenswear

TRP RECRUITMENT; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A design-led womenswear brand in Manchester is seeking a Knitwear Designer to take lead on knit design. The role involves owning the design process from concept to production, translating trends into impactful collections, and collaborating closely with technical teams. Candidates should showcase a strong portfolio in contemporary knitwear, possess solid yarn and fabric knowledge, and have proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. This opportunity offers a hybrid working model within a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Portfolio that showcases contemporary ladieswear knit across gauges, stitches, and textures.
• Previous experience in knitwear design is essential.
• Comfortable leading fittings and resolving issues in real time.

Responsibilities

• Owning end-to-end knit design across seasonal and in-season capsules.
• Translating trend and social signals into cohesive narratives.
• Building balanced ranges with a clear good/better/best architecture.

Skills

Strong yarn/fabric and construction knowledge

Proficient in Adobe Illustrator

Proficient in Photoshop

Fit-obsessed eye for proportion and detail

Tools

PLM

Job description

We're partnering with a modern, design-led womenswear brand who are looking for a Knitwear Designer. They are looking for someone to help shape the ladieswear knit direction from concept and yarn stories to signed-off samples crafting product that's trend-right and commercial.

Based in Manchester you will be part of a friendly tight knit team, be confident in presenting with a strong technical understanding. You will have creative ownership of the entire knitwear category setting seasonal direction, building distinctive ranges, and delivering a balanced range.

This role offers hybrid working.

Main responsibilities

• Owning end-to-end knit design across seasonal and in-season capsules: research, concept boards, sketching, specs, SMS, and pre-production.
• Translating trend, street, and social signals into cohesive colour/yarn narratives, stitch development, and silhouette mixes (from elevated basics to statement pieces).
• Building balanced ranges with clear good/better/best architecture.
• Creating detailed tech packs and artwork that drive first-time-right sampling and speed to market.
• Running fit sessions with Technical; refining blocks, measurements, and constructions to achieve consistent, flattering fits.
• Briefing and problem-solving with mills/factories.
• Presenting concepts and ranges to Buyers with clear storytelling, reference rationale, and data-aware decisions.
• Monitoring competitor and sell-through to inform next drops and continuous improvement.
• Championing responsible material choices.

Person specification

• Portfolio that showcases contemporary ladieswear knit across gauges, stitches, textures, and proven bestsellers.
• Previous experience in knitwear design.
• Strong yarn/fabric and construction knowledge with practical understanding of cost drivers and commercial levers.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop and PLM.
• Fit-obsessed eye for proportion and detail; comfortable leading fittings and resolving issues in real time.