Knitwear Designer

About the role: The Knitwear Designer is responsible for leading the knitwear design process from concept to production, ensuring that our knitwear collections are innovative, on-trend, and meet the highest quality standards. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical understanding of knitwear construction, excellent design skills, and a proven track record of developing successful knitwear products. This role works cross-functionally with key departments, including buying, marketing, and garment technology, to drive commercial success while mentoring and developing junior members of the design team. Your Responsibilities: · Research and identify current and emerging knitwear trends, including styles, colours, yarns, and techniques. · Lead the development of original knitwear designs, including sketches, technical drawings, and specifications. · Create seasonal knitwear collections that align with the brand's aesthetic and target market. · Select appropriate yarns, stitches, and knitwear techniques for each design. · Oversee the creation of prototypes and samples, ensuring accurate execution of designs. · Approve final line-ups, ensuring product range aligns with customer needs and commercial objectives · Evaluate market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitor activity to drive future design strategies and direction · Oversee collection planning, ensuring design workstreams align with critical path and business priorities · Mentor and develop junior designers, providing guidance on both creative and technical aspects · Collaborate with senior members (Buying, Marketing, Merchandising) to align creative direction · React strategically to trade and performance feedback, driving quick-turn updates or edits to enhance sell-through · Extensive experience in knitwear design, with a strong track record of designing commercially successful knitwear collections · Proven experience conducting market and trend research, with the ability to translate insights into commercially relevant, brand-aligned collections. · Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), and confident in producing high-quality CADs, moodboards, and presentation materials. · Strong technical skills in garment construction and product development, including creating and reviewing detailed tech packs and prototypes · Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing high-level vendor relationships with confidence and professionalism · Excellent organisational and project management skills, able to manage multiple deadlines, oversee the critical path, and balance creative output with business priorities · Collaborative approach with cross-functional teams (Buying, Merchandising, Garment Tech, Marketing), ensuring alignment at all stages of the design and development process · Resilient, adaptable, and solution-oriented, with a forward-thinking, trend-led design approach Birthday day off 25-day holiday Flexible hours Vibrant team 40% off staff discount Team socials Free Parking Competitions Hybrid working - 4 days in the Altrincham office