Senior Ladies Knitwear Designer

Danielle Ward Recruitment; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Danielle Ward Recruitment partners with a design-led retailer to recruit a Senior Ladies Knitwear Designer for a fast-paced, collaborative team. The role requires a confident, trend-driven designer who combines creative vision with commercial awareness and brings knitwear concepts from research to production.

You will lead trend research, translate insights into premium knitwear, and work with Far East suppliers through sampling to sign-off, coordinating with buying and tech teams to ensure

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Ladies’ Knitwear Designer, senior level or ready to step up.
• Strong technical knowledge of yarns, stitch structures, gauges, and garment construction.
• Commercial mindset balancing trend-led design with customer appeal.
• Experience working with overseas factories and managing multiple styles through development.
• Highly organised with excellent communication, presentation, and time-management skills.
• Passionate about Ladieswear and shaping a modern knitwear offer.

Responsibilities

• Lead in-depth trend research identifying colours, yarns, stitches, silhouettes, and seasonal themes.
• Translate trend insight into wearable knitwear concepts with a clear commercial focus.
• Conduct market and competitor analysis to keep range fresh, relevant, and competitive.
• Produce high-quality CADs and design packs that clearly communicate design intent.
• Collaborate with Far East suppliers, sending clear and accurate tech packs and managing development through sampling to final sign-off.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with buying, product development, and technical teams to deliver ranges on time and to cost.

Skills

Trend research

Commercial awareness

Knitwear design

Time management

Cross-functional collaboration

Overseas supplier coordination

Tools

CAD software

Job description

We’re partnering with a highly successful, design-led retailer to recruit a Senior Ladies Knitwear Designer for an exciting opportunity within a fast-paced and collaborative team.

This is a role for a confident, trend-driven designer who combines creative vision with commercial awareness, and who thrives on bringing innovative knitwear concepts to life from initial research through to production.

Role Overview

• As Senior Ladies’ Knitwear Designer, you will play a key role in shaping the direction of the ladies’ knitwear collection, delivering commercially relevant designs that feel current, premium, and on-brand.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading in-depth trend research, identifying emerging colours, yarns, stitches, silhouettes, and seasonal themes.
• Translating trend insight into strong, wearable knitwear concepts with a clear commercial focus.
• Conducting regular market and competitor analysis to ensure the range remains fresh, relevant, and competitive.
• Producing high-quality CADs and design packs that clearly communicate design intent.
• Working closely with Far East suppliers, sending clear and accurate tech packs and managing development through sampling to final sign-off.
• Collaborating cross-functionally with buying, product development, and technical teams to deliver ranges on time and to cost.

About You

• Proven experience as a Ladies’ Knitwear Designer, ideally at Senior level or ready to step up.
• Strong technical knowledge of yarns, stitch structures, gauges, and garment construction.
• A commercial mindset with the ability to balance trend-led design with customer appeal.
• Confident working with overseas factories and managing multiple styles through development.
• Highly organised with excellent communication, presentation, and time-management skills.
• Passionate about Ladieswear and excited to help shape a modern, successful knitwear offer.