Junior Knitwear Designer

Danielle Ward Recruitment; Noordwes; On-site; ZAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Junior Knitwear Designer role is with a well-established fashion company focused on knitwear for high street accounts. You will work closely with senior designers to develop commercial knitwear ranges, from trend research to technical packs.

Candidates should have a keen eye for colour and detail, strong communication, and the ability to work collaboratively within a busy design team. This is a hands-on junior role offering growth in knitwear design.

Responsibilities

• Carry out trend research, market research, comp shopping and inspiration shopping trips to identify key trends, colours, shapes and commercial opportunities.
• Support the design and development of commercial ladieswear knitwear ranges in line with customer briefs, seasonal trends and target market requirements.
• Assist in creating design concepts, mood boards, colour palettes and range presentations.
• Produce design sketches, artwork and technical information to support the product development process.
• Assist with creating detailed and accurate technical packs, ensuring design specifications are clearly communicated.
• Work closely with senior designers and the wider team to develop commercially relevant knitwear collections.
• Liaise with overseas factories and suppliers throughout the development process, gaining an understanding of knitwear production and manufacturing.
• Review samples alongside the design team, providing feedback and assisting with amendments to achieve the desired design, fit, quality and finish.
• Support customer meetings and range presentations, gaining an understanding of customer requirements and building strong working relationships.
• Keep up to date with current fashion trends, knitwear techniques, yarns, stitches and fabric developments.
• Assist with managing the development process, ensuring samples and designs progress in line with deadlines and the critical path.

Job description

A well-established and successful fashion company is looking for a Junior Knitwear Designer to join their highly skilled design team. This is an excellent opportunity for a creative and enthusiastic individual looking to develop their career within knitwear design, working across commercial ranges for a portfolio of high street customer accounts.

Junior Knitwear Designer Responsibilities

• Carry out trend research, market research, comp shopping and inspiration shopping trips to identify key trends, colours, shapes and commercial opportunities.
• Support the design and development of commercial ladieswear knitwear ranges in line with customer briefs, seasonal trends and target market requirements.
• Assist in creating design concepts, mood boards, colour palettes and range presentations.
• Produce design sketches, artwork and technical information to support the product development process.
• Assist with creating detailed and accurate technical packs, ensuring design specifications are clearly communicated.
• Work closely with senior designers and the wider team to develop commercially relevant knitwear collections.
• Liaise with overseas factories and suppliers throughout the development process, gaining an understanding of knitwear production and manufacturing.
• Review samples alongside the design team, providing feedback and assisting with amendments to achieve the desired design, fit, quality and finish.
• Support customer meetings and range presentations, gaining an understanding of customer requirements and building strong working relationships.
• Keep up to date with current fashion trends, knitwear techniques, yarns, stitches and fabric developments.
• Assist with managing the development process, ensuring samples and designs progress in line with deadlines and the critical path.

Additional Information

The ideal Junior Knitwear Designer will have some previous experience in a design role, or relevant fashion design qualifications, with a keen interest in knitwear and a desire to develop their skills within a commercial fashion business.

They will have a good eye for colour, trend, and detail, alongside a creative approach and an understanding of the high street market.

Good communication and organisational skills are essential, along with a proactive attitude, willingness to learn and the ability to work collaboratively within a busy design team. This is an excellent opportunity for a junior-level candidate to gain hands-on experience and develop their technical and commercial understanding of knitwear design.