Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Knitwear Specialist Trainee

🎯 Role Definition

Are you fascinated by the art and science of turning a single thread of yarn into a beautifully crafted garment? We are searching for a highly motivated and detail-oriented Knitwear Specialist Trainee to join our innovative product team. This is a unique entry-level opportunity to immerse yourself in the complete knitwear development lifecycle, from initial concept and yarn selection to final production approval, all while being mentored by seasoned industry experts. As a trainee, you will be a crucial link between our creative designers and global manufacturing partners, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in a fast-paced, collaborative fashion environment. If you have a foundational understanding of textiles and an unwavering passion for quality and design, we want to help you build a thriving career in knitwear.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Fashion Design or Textile Science Graduate
Production or Design Internship
Assistant Technical Designer

Advancement To:

Knitwear Specialist / Knitwear Technical Designer
Associate Knitwear Designer
Product Developer - Knits

Lateral Moves:

Materials or Yarn Sourcer
Color & Print Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assist senior team members in the creation and daily management of comprehensive knitwear technical packages (tech packs), ensuring all details are accurate for factory execution.
Act as a key communication liaison with overseas vendors and factories, handling daily correspondence regarding sample development, timelines, and technical queries.
Meticulously create and update detailed garment specification sheets, including graded measurements, construction details, and finishing techniques.
Participate actively in seasonal knitwear trend research, contributing to the development of concept boards, color palettes, and yarn direction.
Manage and maintain the physical and digital yarn and swatch library, including cataloging new developments and coordinating the ordering of new materials.
Attend and contribute to all knitwear fit sessions, diligently taking notes, photographing garments on models, and helping to articulate fit comments to vendors.
Diligently track the status of all knitwear samples, from the initial proto stage through to pre-production and top-of-production approvals, maintaining an organized tracking system.
Collaborate closely with the design team to review initial sketches, providing input on the technical feasibility and potential production challenges of proposed knit designs.
Review and provide clear comments on lab dips, yarn strike-offs, and bulk yarn submissions to ensure precise color, quality, and hand-feel accuracy against brand standards.
Initiate detailed knitdown and swatch development requests with mills to explore new stitches, patterns, and innovative knitting techniques for future seasons.
Maintain the Bill of Materials (BOM) for all knitwear styles within the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system, ensuring data integrity for costing and production.
Support the costing process by gathering and providing essential technical details, yarn consumption estimates, and trim information to the production team.
Prepare, pack, and coordinate the shipment of development materials, proto samples, and technical comments to our international manufacturing partners.
Learn to effectively utilize core industry software, including PLM systems and the Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), for daily design and development tasks.
Conduct thorough market research on emerging knitwear trends, new yarn technologies, innovative machinery, and competitor product assortments.
Assist in the creation and maintenance of digital line sheets and presentation materials for key internal meetings and market appointments.
Uphold the brand's stringent quality standards by meticulously inspecting all incoming development and production samples against the approved tech pack and design intent.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of different knitting gauges, machinery types (e.g., flatbed, circular), and their specific capabilities and limitations.
Support the formal hand-off process from the design department to technical design and production, ensuring all parties are aligned on the style details.
Proactively troubleshoot and help resolve development, quality, and production issues by collaborating with senior specialists and factory partners.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc requests for yarn consumption data, sample tracking reports, and historical style analysis.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of the team's material and swatch library strategy and organizational systems.
Collaborate with cross-functional partners in merchandising and planning to translate data-driven insights into tangible product requirements.
Participate in all relevant sprint planning meetings and agile ceremonies within the product development and design teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Foundational knowledge of knitwear construction, yarn types, gauges, and structures.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator for technical flats and Photoshop.
Strong computer literacy, especially in Microsoft Excel for tracking and data management.
Ability to create and interpret technical garment sketches (flats).
Basic understanding of garment fitting, measuring, and creating specification sheets.
Familiarity with the apparel product development lifecycle from concept to delivery.
Experience with a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system is a significant plus.
A keen eye for color and the ability to evaluate lab dip submissions for accuracy.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and outstanding organizational skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, with a knack for clear and concise correspondence.
A highly collaborative spirit and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Proactive problem-solving skills and a resourceful, can-do attitude.
Strong time management skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively to meet deadlines.
A genuine passion for knitwear, fashion, and product innovation.
High level of adaptability and an eagerness to learn and grow within the role.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent hands-on experience in the apparel industry.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design, Textile Science, Apparel Product Development, or a closely related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Fashion Design
Textile Development & Science
Apparel Production

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-2 years

Preferred: Internship experience within a fashion design house, technical design department, or a role with a specific focus on knitwear is highly desirable. A strong portfolio showcasing knitwear projects or technical skills is a plus.