Quality Director

The Opportunity

Day and Zimmermann is seeking a Director of Quality to lead and elevate quality across our DZ Manufacturing Operations team in Texarkana, TX. This is a highly visible leadership role with direct impact on mission critical munitions programs, where quality, safety, and precision are non negotiable.

About the Role

You will own the vision and execution of our quality strategy, driving performance across complex manufacturing environments while ensuring compliance with rigorous federal and state regulations. You will have the autonomy to assess, modernize, and strengthen quality systems while building a culture that prioritizes accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership over all quality initiatives to drive customer satisfaction, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize cost efficiency across all product lines, cultivating a culture of responsibility and continuous improvement.
• Develop, implement, and enhance Quality Management Systems (QMS), including rigorous process controls, rigorous internal auditing practices, and supplier certification programs; utilize data-driven scorecards and advanced analytics to monitor performance and uncover opportunities for process enhancement.
• Collaborate extensively with key stakeholders—Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Safety—to resolve supplier performance challenges, streamline delivery processes, and seamlessly integrate lean methodologies and quality initiatives.
• Manage the comprehensive failure management system by overseeing failure analysis, facilitating corrective and preventive actions, and driving lean manufacturing projects to proactively reduce defects, meeting the stringent requirements of government contracts.
• Forge and nurture strategic relationships with customers and regulatory bodies by demonstrating exemplary quality leadership and transparent communication, thereby enhancing trust and ensuring alignment on quality standards and processes.
• Lead talent acquisition, development, and retention efforts within the quality team; conduct performance evaluations against established goals and competencies, fostering an environment of accountability and professional growth.
• Ensure continual compliance with evolving federal, state, and corporate safety standards through vigilant program development and adherence monitoring.

Qualifications

• Business and Financial Acumen: Demonstrates a deep understanding of business strategies and the aptitude to align quality management processes in support of the overarching "One Munitions" objectives.
• Advanced Problem Solving: Employs strong analytical and critical thinking skills; adept at navigating complex regulatory and operational landscapes using collaborative problem-solving methodologies and industry-standard diagnostic tools.
• Project Leadership: Proven track record in leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing lean manufacturing projects that deliver significant cost savings and process improvements.
• Leadership and Change Management: Exhibits exceptional communication, negotiation, and facilitation abilities; proficient in guiding organizational change, building consensus, and translating customer needs into actionable, impactful quality initiatives.
• Interpersonal Skills: Talented at developing and mentoring personnel, setting clear expectations, establishing achievable goals, and fostering accountability within teams to drive high performance.

Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s or higher degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Management, or related disciplines preferred; significant experience in quality assurance, statistics, or process control may substitute for formal education.
• Experience: Minimum of ten years in quality assurance or industrial engineering roles, including leadership responsibilities encompassing budgeting, team development, and organizational change initiatives.
• Certification Leadership: Demonstrable experience in spearheading projects that have achieved ANSI, ISO, or equivalent quality certifications, ensuring compliance with international standards.

Benefits

We care about our employees, and it shows. Our staff receive a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical/Rx, dental and vision coverage; life, AD&D and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; 100% paid maternity leave for up to 12 weeks, parental leave, family leave, other paid time off; voluntary benefits and discount programs to meet our employees’ individual needs including pet insurance for our furry family members!

Pay and Schedule

The salary range for this role is $131,600 - $197,400. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as the final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. (The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements).

Schedule

Ability to regularly perform all job functions at Company’s office or work site

Physical Demands

Ability to perform the following physical and mental tasks, with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Visual acuity (e.g., needed to prepare and analyze data, to transcribe documents, to view a computer, to read, to inspect objects, to operate machinery).
• Balancing
• Stooping
• Reaching
• Walking
• Repetitive motions of any part of the body
• Kneeling, Crouching, or Crawling
• Pushing or pulling
• Fingering
• Climbing
• Manual Dexterity (e.g. picking, pinching, typing, or other working that uses fingers)
• Hearing
• Talking
• Lifting motion or lifting objects more than 20 pounds
• Ability to read complex documents in the English language
• Ability to troubleshoot issues on the production line and recommend cost effective solutions and then implement them
• Capacity to express thoughts orally (e.g., accurately, quickly, and loudly convey spoken instructions to workers)
• Capacity to reason and make sound decisions
• Ability to withstand environmental conditions
• Ability to travel to support various D&Z sites as needed by the company