The Opportunity: Lead Quality at Scale

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.

As Director of Quality, here's the work you'll do:

• 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.

This role is for you if you have these skills:

• 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.

And if you have these qualifications:

• Educational Background: 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.
• Extensive 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.
• Security Clearance: Possession or eligibility to obtain a US Government Secret Clearance is desirable due to the nature of government contracts and security requirements.

Candidates may be required to satisfy additional job-related requirements, including those established and controlled by third parties, as part of the selection process.

In compliance with this state’s pay transparency laws, 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).

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!

To ensure a safe work environment while meeting the physical demands of the job, you must be able 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, quick and loudly convey spoken instructions to workers)

Capacity to reason and make sound decision

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

Ability to withstand environmental conditions

Ability to travel to support various D&Z sites as needed by the company

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? APPLY NOW!