Responsible for designing and executing trend-driven concepts that align with customer needs and drive sales. Partners with the Sales team to gather market insights and develop elevated seasonal knitwear collections—from concept through delivery—for major retailers. Manages the end-to-end design process, including yarn and stitch development, while ensuring timely execution and maintaining strong relationships with factories, suppliers, and design partners.
Strategy & Innovation
Identify global emerging trends in stitch, pattern, concept, and yarn development, providing trend-right direction tailored to retailer needs
Conduct competitive analysis and prepare yarn selections, print references, design concepts, presentation boards, mock-ups, 3D CADs, and inspirational imagery for internal and customer-facing meetings
Collaborate with the Design team on seasonal yarn research and development for each collection
Partner with the Hong Kong team to develop and present seasonal yarns to VP, Director, and Sales leadership
Guide Asia counterparts in sourcing and developing new yarns—both core and novelty—across all accounts
Design and oversee development of customer-specific yarn knitdowns
Partner with customers to share yarn trends and provide direction for account-specific assortments
Attend trade and trend shows in New York City to collaborate with mill partners on yarn and silhouette development
Develop seasonal sweaters with cost engineering considerations customized to each account
Conduct market shopping in New York, Montreal, and Los Angeles to gather inspiration and trend data; partner with Asia and NY teams to incorporate newness into analytics
Operations & Results
Design according to style plans, account needs, and emerging trends
Maintain calendar discipline to ensure on-time execution across all development milestones
Create Illustrator sketches, review spec sheets and line sheets, and maintain accurate product development logs and design archives
Select and review raw materials, trims, and yarns; manage stitch libraries and materials archives
Approve lab dips with the Design Director, ensuring color accuracy and consistency with brand standards
Customers & Relationships
Coordinate follow-up with cross-functional teams including Technical Design, Overseas Design, Sales, Production, and Vendors
Manage interoffice communication and ensure information flow across internal teams
Build and maintain strong relationships with mills, vendors, and internal stakeholders
Partner with Sales and Senior Management in preparing and presenting customer-specific concepts and designs
Maintain and grow relationships with yarn mills to support innovation and development across accounts
Skills & Qualifications
4+ years of experience in sweater design
Strong understanding of yarns and the full sweater development process
Excellent multi-tasking and project management skills; ability to manage multiple design timelines concurrently
Creative, detail-oriented, and trend-aware
Proficient in design software (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)
Strong communication and presentation skills for internal and external collaboration
Experience managing and mentoring junior team members, interns, or assistants
Strong decision-making, prioritization, and organizational skills
Demonstrated ability to innovate within design and development
Compensation/Benefits:
The approximate annual base salary range for this position is $70,000.00 - $80,000.00. The offered salary or salary range for this position will vary based on role requirements, skill set and years of experience.
Our Company offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, company holidays.
#cobalt
If this sounds like you, Apply Now!
As an equal opportunity employer, we shall consider all applicants regardless of gender, age, religion, marital status, race, sexual orientation, disability, disease, pregnancy, or trade union and/or political affiliation, and disregard all factors deemed inappropriate by local law and the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.Skills Required
- 4+ years of experience in sweater design
- Strong understanding of yarns and the full sweater development process
- Proficient in design software (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)
- Excellent multi-tasking and project management skills
- Strong communication and presentation skills for internal and external collaboration
- Experience managing and mentoring junior team members, interns, or assistants
- Creative, detail-oriented, and trend-aware
- Strong decision-making, prioritization, and organizational skills
- Demonstrated ability to innovate within design and development
What We Do
Li & Fung is a global supply chain and logistics solutions partner that manages the supply chain for high-volume, time-sensitive consumer goods for brands and retailers worldwide.
