Senior Designer - Knitwear (Freelance)

Li & Fung; New York (NY); On-site; USD 69,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralsey Group is seeking a Freelance Senior Knitwear Designer to join their team in New York. The designer will report to the Design Director and VP and lead trend-driven knitwear concepts from concept to delivery for major retailers.

The role involves developing collections with the latest yarns and techniques, coordinating with sales and overseas vendors, and managing sample development with a focus on cost and quality. A strong portfolio and 10–15 years of knitwear experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or related field.
• 10-15 years of proven experience in knitwear design, preferably within the mass market.
• Strong portfolio showcasing original knitwear designs and technical proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and other design software.
• In-depth knowledge of knitwear construction, yarns, stitches, and techniques, with a keen eye for detail and quality.
• Ability to translate market trends and consumer insights into commercially viable product concepts.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop knitwear collections for mass market + contemporary segment, incorporating the latest trends, yarns, and techniques.
• Collaborate closely with the Design SVP and cross-functional teams to understand brand direction, seasonal themes, and product requirements.
• Conduct market research and trend analysis to identify emerging styles, colors, and silhouettes relevant to the target demographic.
• Create trend reports, sketches, and tech packs that effectively communicate design concepts, construction details, and sizing specifications.
• Source and select appropriate yarns, trims, and embellishments while adhering to cost and quality guidelines.
• Oversee sample development process, including fit sessions, prototyping, and sample revisions, ensuring designs translate seamlessly from concept to production.

Skills

Knitwear design

Portfolio development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

Are you a movement maker? Are you seeking new and exciting career opportunities? Here is what you need to know about the job: Ralsey Group is seeking a Freelance Senior Knitwear Designer to join their team! This position provides full visibility into the global knitwear market, including Europe and Asia, while reporting to the Design Director and VP. Responsibilities include designing and executing trend-appropriate design concepts to meet customer needs and drive sales. The designer will work closely with the Sales team to gain market knowledge and create an enhanced knitwear collection for each season, from concept to delivery for major retailers. This includes coordinating the timely execution of each stage of the process, creating and executing yarns and stitches to meet the needs of our retailers, and maintaining strong relationships with factories, suppliers, and designers.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop knitwear collections for mass market + contemporary segment, incorporating the latest trends, yarns, and techniques.
• Collaborate closely with the Design SVP and cross-functional teams to understand brand direction, seasonal themes, and product requirements.
• Conduct market research and trend analysis to identify emerging styles, colors, and silhouettes relevant to the target demographic.
• Create trend reports, sketches, and tech packs that effectively communicate design concepts, construction details, and sizing specifications.
• Source and select appropriate yarns, trims, and embellishments while adhering to cost and quality guidelines.
• Oversee sample development process, including fit sessions, prototyping, and sample revisions, ensuring designs translate seamlessly from concept to production.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or related field.
• 10-15 years of proven experience in knitwear design, preferably within the mass market segment.
• Strong portfolio showcasing original knitwear designs and technical proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and other design software.
• In-depth knowledge of knitwear construction, yarns, stitches, and techniques, with a keen eye for detail and quality.
• Ability to translate market trends and consumer insights into commercially viable product concepts.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Proven track record of successfully managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of creativity and accuracy.
• Experience working with overseas vendors and factories is a plus.
• Passion for fashion, creativity, and innovation, with a strong commitment to delivering exceptional design solutions

Compensation/Benefits:

The approximate annual base salary range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00 per hour. The offered hourly rate for this position will vary based on role requirements, skill set and years of experience.

As an equal opportunity employer, we shall consider all applicants regardless of gender, age, religion, marital status, race, sexual orientation, disability, disease, pregnancy, or trade union and/or political affiliation, and disregard all factors deemed inappropriate by local law and the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

Fung Group is a pioneer for the consumer goods supply chain. With a rich history in import and export trading and global supply chain management dating back to 1906, our core businesses operate across the entire global supply chain for consumer goods including trading, logistics, distribution and retail. Today, we are focused on advancing new, disruptive technologies shaping the future of supply chains and exploring new opportunities for business growth through strategic innovation in retailing, new products, services or markets. Across Fung Group, our core values of entrepreneurship, being humble and acting as one family, form the basis for our culture, business strategies and brand.