Senior Knitwear Designer

Location: Altrincham (hybrid working) Reports to: Head of Design Role Overview: The Senior 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, preferably working on the supplier side, however not essential · Previous experience working with knitwear · Adobe Illustrator proficient · Strong yarn/knit and construction knowledge with practical understanding of cost drivers and a commercial eye when selecting yarns · Comfortable leading conversations & presenting trends to customers · A clear understanding of knit across gauges, stitches, textures, and ply · Portfolio examples of tech packs / artworks (for example jacquard artworks, cable designs, stitch layouts) · Experience liaising with overseas offices to manage sample development. · Willing to travel UK & overseas · Birthday day off · 25-day holiday · Flexible hours · Vibrant team · 40% off 4th & Reckless, sister brand · Team socials · Competitions · Hybrid working - 4 days in the Altrincham office