Quality Director

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.

In this 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.

You will partner closely with senior leaders across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and safety to influence outcomes, mitigate risk, and ensure product integrity at every stage. This is an opportunity to step into a role where your leadership directly shapes both operational performance and long term business success.

We are looking for a leader who thrives in high stakes environments, someone who brings both strategic vision and hands on execution, and who is motivated by the challenge of raising the bar in a regulated, safety critical industry.

• 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.

• 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.

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or…