Chief Financial Officer

Highland Industrial Supplies (HIS) is Scotland’s largest independent distributor of trade, industry and home improvement products — and one of the Highlands’ most recognisable and respected family businesses.

Headquartered in Inverness and with a network of branches across the country, HIS has grown from a single-store operation in 1985 to a £70m+ turnover business with a vital role in the regional economy and community. Still family-owned and now in its second generation of leadership, HIS remains firmly rooted in the values that built its reputation, including integrity, hard work, and genuine customer care. These values continue to drive the business forward, underpinning a diverse, multi-site operation that serves both trade and retail customers. From large-scale industrial , construction , fencing and farming equipment to everyday consumer products and catering supplies, HIS offers an unrivalled range of goods backed by exceptional service resulting in deep, long term relationships and accounts.

With an entrepreneurial culture, deep community ties, and a long track record of growth, HIS is proud to be a major local employer and a trusted partner to businesses across multiple sectors. Entrepreneurial founder Evan, now a Non-Executive Director, is still very involved in the strategy, vision and culture of the business; son Grant has returned from a successful career in the military to take on the role as COO; and CEO Garry has been with the business for over 30 years and has been instrumental in leading and driving much of its growth. With over 100 years of family and business expertise still heavily involved, alongside independent Non-Executives and a network of trusted advisors, it is an exceptional team and exciting time to join them as HIS enters the next phase of growth and development.

Following the planned retirement of the long-serving Finance Director, the business is seeking to appoint a new CFO to help lead the organisation through its next chapter. This is a pivotal leadership role during a period of economic headwinds and operational change — a rare opportunity to shape the strategic financial direction of a respected and purpose-led business with a long track record of strong performance.

The incoming CFO will bring fresh insight, enhance commercial decision-making, lead systems and data improvements, and help the Board navigate today’s challenges while positioning the business for long-term resilience and growth.

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the finance function, ensuring robust financial control, compliance, risk management and transparent reporting across all areas of the business.
• Work with the Board to define and deliver financial strategy aligned to long term business goals and shareholder interests.
• Support the evolution of HIS’s financial planning processes, introducing improved budgeting, forecasting and modelling capability.

Commercial & Operational decision Support

• Act as a strategic partner to the Board, contributing to all key decisions with a commercial, data-informed lens.
• Provide detailed margin, pricing and cost analysis to support business performance across sites, products and categories.
• Drive improvements in management information, dashboards and business intelligence to empower decision-making across the leadership team.
• Work closely with stock accounting processes, including inventory valuation, stock control, and obsolescence management, to maximise working capital efficiency.

Systems, Processing & Reporting

• Lead the modernisation of finance systems and reporting tools to improve accuracy, insight, and efficiency.
• Champion the use of data and technology across the finance function and wider business to drive operational excellence.
• Oversee statutory reporting, audit, and tax compliance with high standards of integrity and accuracy.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead and develop the finance team, instilling a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the finance function serves as a trusted advisor across the business, particularly to operations, sales and supply chain leadership as valued business enabler/partners critical to commercial performance improvement.
• Act as a key cultural figure within the business — a visible, approachable and values-aligned presence at all levels.

Stakeholder Management & External Relationships

• Build strong working relationships with banks, advisors, auditors and other external stakeholders.
• Act as a professional, commercial and culturally astute ambassador for the business with external partners and the wider community.