Director of Information Technology

CR Smith is Scotland’s leading uPVC window manufacturer and home improvement installer and has become one of Scotland’s largest and most well renowned companies. Its belief has always been to provide beautifully designed home improvements throughout Scotland.

It now has 380 staff across a number of facilities and have developed its own apprenticeship scheme, reflecting its investment in the future. The company is active over a wide range of initiatives supporting the community and a broad range of charitable causes. Across its Manufacturing and Glaziers businesses there is a current turnover of c£40m and it is ideally placed to deliver across a range of home improvement products, helping organisations deliver on Net Zero commitments.

Due to retirement, CR Smith is seeking a new Director of IT to lead the company’s technology proposition, security, and data-driven solutions that support growth and operational excellence.

Position Overview

The Director of IT is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing CR Smith’s IT strategy, operations, and infrastructure. This individual will ensure the alignment of technology initiatives with business objectives, drive digital transformation, and implement secure, scalable, and efficient IT systems. The ideal candidate will combine strategic insight with hands-on management skills to guide the IT team and collaborate with all departments to optimise technology use across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive IT strategy that aligns with CR Smith’s business goals, focusing on digital innovation, customer engagement, and operational efficiency.
• Lead digital transformation projects to modernise systems, improve workflows, and deliver data-driven insights to the business.

IT Infrastructure & Operations:

• Ensure a high-performance, secure, and resilient IT infrastructure that meets the company’s needs.
• Oversee the management and maintenance of all hardware, software, networks, and databases.
• Drive the adoption of cloud technologies, virtualisation, and other innovations to improve scalability and cost-effectiveness.

Cybersecurity & Compliance:

• Lead efforts to secure the company’s information assets and maintain data integrity, privacy, and compliance with relevant regulations.
• Conduct regular security audits, manage risks, and oversee disaster recovery planning and implementation.

Team Management & Development:

• Lead, enhance and develop a high-performing IT team capable of meeting current and future business needs.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative culture within the IT department that aligns with CR Smith’s values and mission.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Act as the primary point of contact between IT and other departments, ensuring technology solutions are aligned with business requirements.
• Regularly communicate IT strategy, project updates, and performance metrics to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Develop and manage the IT budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and cost-effective procurement of technology solutions.
• Negotiate with and manage third-party vendors and service providers to secure optimal service and pricing agreements.

Experience

Educational Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field.

Experience:

• Proven experience in IT leadership roles, ideally within retail, manufacturing, or customer-centric industries.
• Demonstrable experience in digital transformation, cloud migration, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure management.
• Strong background in aligning IT with business strategy, with a track record of delivering successful, impactful projects.

Technical Skills:

• Expertise in IT systems architecture, cloud solutions, network management, and enterprise applications.
• Solid understanding of cybersecurity best practices, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Familiarity with ERP and CRM systems, data analytics platforms, and IT service management.

Leadership Skills:

• Strong leadership and team development abilities with a focus on fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication skills and experience working with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.

On offer is an excellent salary package.

If this opportunity is of interest, please get in touch with our Head of Research Kirsty Mclardy at *************@livingstonjames.com for a copy of the position profile.