At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative knitwear concepts while mentoring junior designers.
- Company: Join AM London Fashion Ltd, a trend-driven brand known for stylish, sustainable clothing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, generous discounts, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Opportunity for international travel and leadership in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping the future of fashion with sustainability at its core.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in design, strong CAD skills, and experience in womenswear required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About us...
AM London, and our in house brands Threadbare and Saltwell was built out of something personal – a bond between father and daughter, and a shared love of fashion passed down through generations. What began as a family passion has grown into British brands recognised for their commitment to Trusted Style and Honest Value.
Based in Manchester, the heart of the UK's fashion and textile industry, Threadbare and Saltwell continues to design with one clear purpose: to create clothing that combines elevated design, everyday wearability, and lasting quality. Built for the everyday wardrobe, Threadbare and Saltwell are proud to be stocked in iconic fashion marketplaces including Next, ASOS and Zalando – bringing our vision of Trusted Style and Honest Value to customers across the world.
We're now looking for an established Senior Knitwear Designer on our womenswear team, to work in our Manchester HQ.
Key roles and responsibilities...
- Creating and developing original knitwear design concepts, with a strong focus on stitch development, yarn selection, and innovative knit techniques.
- Working closely with yarn suppliers and spinners to source new, relevant, and sustainable yarns and trims suitable for seasonal collections.
- Creating comprehensive design packs, including detailed stitch diagrams, yarn specs, construction notes, and technical handovers.
- Leading trend and colour research and translating key seasonal knitwear trends into commercially viable product ranges.
- Managing, mentoring, and developing junior designers or assistants within the knitwear team.
- Regular liaison with Account Managers and buyers to ensure timely development and alignment with client briefs and brand direction.
- Communicating with factories and overseas development teams to resolve technical queries and ensure accurate sample execution.
- Planning and coordinating yarn and factory sourcing trips; creating clear development briefs and tech packs for suppliers.
- Presenting range reviews to Directors, ensuring each collection aligns with brand strategy and seasonal goals.
- Managing the design and development process in line with critical path timelines to ensure on-time delivery to customers.
- Overseeing sample management, including expenses, tracking, returns, and showroom organisation.
- Leading and organising inspiration and trend sourcing trips (including international travel where required), identifying new techniques and yarn innovations.
- Leading trend forecasting updates (e.g., WGSN, KnitwearLab, Première Vision) and analysing social media and cultural influences such as TikTok, Instagram, and TV for knitwear-specific insights.
- Maintaining an organised archive of knitwear samples, yarn cards, and swatches, ensuring materials are accessible and up to date.
- Full ownership of the knitwear design range, from concept through development, ensuring creative integrity and commercial viability throughout.
Skills required...
- Commercial / high street design experience preferred
- Experience of international travel, including supplier meeting, sourcing trips and comp shops
- +6 years minimum background in design
- Experience working within Womenswear.
- Excellent understanding of Illustrator and/or Photoshop
- Confident at CAD work.
- Creative and trend driven with an eye for colour and fabric
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Team player and able to build relationships
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
- Manage challenges in a calm and positive manner.
- Understand the different customer handwritings and adapt designs accordingly.
- Work quickly and efficiently under time pressures.
- Proactive nature to work with different part of the business, e.g. QC, Buyer and external customers.
- Leadership skills
- Excellent fabric knowledge and understanding of production.
Our benefits...
- 25 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays, plus your birthday off
- Generous 40% staff discount and sample sales
- 25% friends and family discount
- Company Pension Scheme
- Length of Service Awards
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
Senior Knitwear Designer in Manchester employer: A.M. London Fashion Ltd
At AM London Fashion Ltd, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a vibrant work culture that values creativity and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our supportive environment, where team members are encouraged to develop their skills and advance their careers in the dynamic fashion industry. With generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, a substantial staff discount, and flexible working hours, we ensure that our employees feel valued and motivated to contribute to our mission of delivering stylish and sustainable fashion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Knitwear Designer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in knitwear by following fashion influencers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This will not only inspire your designs but also show your potential employer that you are actively engaged with current market trends.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the knitwear industry, especially those who have experience with sustainable practices. Attend fashion events or workshops to connect with others and gain insights that could be beneficial for your role at AM London Fashion Ltd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous projects in detail during interviews. Highlight your experience with yarn selection and stitch development, as well as any successful collaborations with suppliers or factories that demonstrate your ability to manage the design process effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've mentored junior designers in the past. This will illustrate your capability to lead a team and contribute positively to the creative environment at AM London Fashion Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Knitwear Designer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in knitwear design, particularly focusing on your skills in stitch development, yarn selection, and innovative techniques. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your expertise.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for fashion and sustainability. Mention how your design philosophy aligns with AM London Fashion Ltd's commitment to ethical sourcing and quality craftsmanship. Be sure to include your leadership experience and ability to mentor junior designers.
Showcase Your Portfolio:Include a link to your portfolio that features your best knitwear designs. Ensure it reflects your creative process, from concept to final product, and highlights any commercially successful collections you've worked on.
Research the Company:Familiarise yourself with AM London Fashion Ltd and their brand Threadbare. Understand their target market, recent collections, and design ethos. This knowledge will help you tailor your application and prepare for potential interviews.
How to prepare for a job interview at A.M. London Fashion Ltd
✨Showcase Your Design Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best knitwear designs. Include a variety of projects that demonstrate your creativity, technical skills, and understanding of current trends. Be prepared to discuss the inspiration behind each piece and how it aligns with the brand's ethos.
✨Research the Brand Thoroughly
Before the interview, dive deep into AM London Fashion Ltd and their Threadbare brand. Understand their design philosophy, recent collections, and sustainability efforts. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their vision.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the technical nature of the role, be ready to answer questions about stitch development, yarn selection, and innovative knit techniques. Brush up on your fabric knowledge and be prepared to discuss how you would approach sourcing sustainable materials for new collections.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Senior Knitwear Designer, you'll likely be mentoring junior designers. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, managed projects under tight deadlines, and fostered a collaborative environment. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with different departments.
