Senior Ladies Knitwear Designer

Danielle Ward Recruitment; Noordwes; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Danielle Ward Recruitment is seeking a Senior Ladies’ Knitwear Designer for a leading, design-led retailer. You will drive the direction of the knitwear collection, delivering premium, on-brand designs that balance trend with commercial appeal.

Responsibilities include leading trend research, creating wearable concepts, and coordinating with Far East factories from concept to final sign-off, ensuring timely delivery and cost targets.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Ladies’ Knitwear Designer.
• Strong technical knowledge of yarns, stitches, gauges, and garment construction.
• Commercial mindset balancing trend-led design with customer appeal.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Knitwear design

Trend research

CAD design packs

Technical yarn knowledge

Production development

Communication

Time management

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Location: North West

Job Reference No: D003

Details

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 ladieswear 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.