Womenswear Knitwear Designer

The Retail Partnership Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A modern womenswear brand in Manchester is seeking a Knitwear Designer to shape their knitwear direction from concept to finished samples. The role offers creative ownership and involves collaboration with a tight-knit team. Responsibilities include full design ownership, translating trends into narratives, and presenting to buyers. Ideal candidates will have a strong portfolio and fabric knowledge. This position supports hybrid working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Portfolio showcasing contemporary ladieswear knit.
• Proven bestsellers experience in knitwear.
• Ability to lead fittings and resolve issues.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end knit design across seasonal and in-season capsules.
• Translating trend signals into cohesive narratives and silhouette mixes.
• Create detailed tech packs for sampling and speed to market.
• Run fit sessions with Technical for consistent fits.
• Brief and problem-solve with mills/factories.
• Present concepts and ranges to Buyers with storytelling.
• Monitor competitor and sell-through for continuous improvement.
• Champion responsible material choices.

Skills

Strong yarn/fabric knowledge

Proficient in Adobe Illustrator

Proficient in Photoshop

Fit-obsessed eye for proportion

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 will include:

• 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 (handle, shrinkage, pilling, shade/lot, trims); guiding lab dips, wash tests, and approvals..
• 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.
• 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.