Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Knitwear Consultant

🎯 Role Definition

As a Knitwear Consultant, you will be the strategic and creative engine behind our knitwear category. You are a seasoned expert who will lend deep industry knowledge to guide our design, development, and production teams. This role involves steering the end-to-end process, from market trend analysis and concept creation to yarn innovation, technical design, and final garment execution. Your primary objective is to elevate our knitwear offering, ensuring it is commercially viable, impeccably crafted, and aligned with our brand's aesthetic and quality standards. You will act as a key partner to internal teams and external vendors, troubleshooting challenges and unlocking new opportunities for growth and excellence in the knitwear space.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Knitwear Designer / Lead Knitwear Designer
Technical Design Manager (Knitwear Specialization)
Product Development Director (Knitwear)

Advancement To:

Head of Design / Design Director
Creative Director
Founder/Principal of a Fashion Consulting Agency

Lateral Moves:

Director of Materials & Sourcing
Senior Trend & Concept Forecaster

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Spearhead the research and analysis of global knitwear trends, runway analysis, and market intelligence to inform and inspire seasonal design direction.
Lead the end-to-end development of knitwear collections, managing the entire product lifecycle from initial concept and sketch to salesman samples and final production approval.
Drive the sourcing, selection, and development of new and innovative yarns, trims, and knitting techniques in collaboration with global mills and suppliers.
Create and manage highly-detailed, production-ready technical packages (tech packs), including BOMs, technical sketches, construction details, and finishing standards.
Conduct and lead all knitwear fitting sessions, providing clear, concise, and technical fit comments to vendors to ensure design integrity and size-grade consistency.
Manage and maintain the seasonal development calendar, establishing key milestones and deadlines to ensure on-time delivery of all samples and production.
Collaborate directly with overseas factories and agents, fostering strong relationships and ensuring clear communication on all aspects of development, quality, and costing.
Negotiate initial costing with vendors and partner with the production team to achieve and maintain target margin goals without compromising quality or design intent.
Review and provide approvals for all stages of development, including proto samples, fit samples, yarn lab dips, knitdowns, and pre-production samples.
Establish and enforce rigorous quality control standards for all knitwear, troubleshooting and resolving any production or quality issues that may arise.
Develop and mentor junior designers and technical staff, sharing expert knowledge of knitwear construction, machinery, and best practices.
Present knitwear collections and strategic initiatives to senior leadership, buyers, and merchandising teams, effectively communicating the design vision and commercial viability.
Initiate and maintain a comprehensive physical and digital library of yarns, stitches, and wash developments for current and future season reference.
Champion and integrate sustainable practices within the knitwear development process, from responsible yarn sourcing to eco-friendly finishing techniques.
Create detailed flat technical sketches and artwork layouts using Adobe Illustrator, ensuring all details are accurately represented for factory execution.

Secondary Functions

Travel internationally and domestically for market research, trend-spotting, factory visits, and direct collaboration with supply chain partners.
Partner with the merchandising team to analyze sales data and consumer feedback, translating key insights into actionable strategies for future collections.
Liaise with the marketing and e-commerce teams to provide accurate product knowledge and storytelling points for all knitwear styles.
Manage the accuracy and integrity of all knitwear-related data within the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.
Continuously evaluate and onboard new factory and mill partners to enhance capabilities, improve quality, and optimize the supply chain.
Develop innovative and proprietary stitch structures, patterns, and garment constructions that align with and elevate the brand's identity.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert-level knowledge of Knitwear Construction: Deep understanding of gauges, machine capabilities (flatbed, circular), linking, intarsia, jacquard, and fully-fashioned techniques.
Yarn Sourcing & Development: Extensive experience working with global yarn mills and a strong knowledge of fiber properties, spinning methods, and yarn performance.
Technical Design Proficiency: Mastery in creating and managing detailed tech packs, with a precise eye for measurements, grading, and construction callouts.
Adobe Creative Suite: High proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for creating technical flat sketches and Photoshop for creating mockups and colorways.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): Hands-on experience with PLM systems (e.g., Centric, FlexPLM) for data management and workflow tracking.
Cost Engineering: Proven ability to analyze garment costs, negotiate with factories, and engineer products to meet margin targets.
Color & Print Approval: A trained eye for color with extensive experience managing the lab dip, strike-off, and handloom approval process.
Fitting Expertise: Ability to lead live model or form fittings, diagnosing fit issues and communicating solutions effectively.
Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets: Strong skills for managing tracking charts, budgets, and analyzing data.
3D Knitting Software (Bonus): Familiarity with programs like Shima Seiki APEX or Stoll M1plus is a significant advantage.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication: Articulate, clear, and professional communication skills, both written and verbal, especially when dealing with international partners.
Meticulous Attention to Detail: An obsessive focus on the details of construction, color, and quality.
Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to anticipate issues and proactively find innovative and effective solutions in a fast-paced environment.
Strong Organizational & Time Management: Ability to manage multiple projects and seasons simultaneously, adhering to strict deadlines.
Collaborative Spirit: A proven team player who can build strong, positive relationships with cross-functional partners.
Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment and can pivot quickly as priorities change.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design, Apparel/Textile Design, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree or specialized certification in Knitwear Design or Textile Science.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Fashion Design
Textile and Apparel Management
Technical Design

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

10-15+ years of progressive experience specifically within knitwear design, technical design, and/or product development.

Preferred:

Experience in a senior or leadership role within the contemporary, advanced contemporary, or luxury market.
A demonstrable portfolio showcasing a wide range of knitwear styles, technical complexity, and a strong, commercial design aesthetic.