Director of Quality, Compliance & Operational Systems

About Davenport Aviation

Davenport Aviation is a rapidly growing aerospace and defense company supporting U.S. Government and commercial aviation programs. Our work spans aircraft systems, mission-ready platforms, and long-term sustainment programs, including support of critical platforms such as the KC-46.

We are built on a foundation of trust, execution, and flexibility, and operate in a highly disciplined, compliance-driven environment where precision matters.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Director of Quality, Compliance & Operational Systems to lead and scale a best-in-class, audit-ready operating environment across the organization.

This role is responsible for end-to-end quality, regulatory compliance, operational systems, and process discipline, ensuring that every transaction, shipment, and process meets strict contractual, regulatory, and customer requirements.

This is a hands-on leadership role in a high-growth aerospace and defense business—not a maintenance quality position. The focus is on government contract compliance, packaging and traceability, export compliance, and system-driven execution.

Key Responsibilities

Government Contract Compliance & Quality Leadership

• Own and maintain the company’s Quality Management System (ISO 9001 / AS9120 aligned)
• Serve as primary interface with DCMA, DoD/USAF customers, and prime contractors
• Ensure full compliance with contractual flow-down requirements and customer quality clauses
• Lead all internal and external audits with a continuous audit-ready posture

Packaging, Traceability & Documentation Control

• Enforce strict compliance with military packaging, labeling, and UID requirements (MIL-STD-130, etc.)
• Ensure full traceability of all aircraft parts and serialized components
• Own documentation integrity (8130s, CoCs, shipping docs, contract deliverables)
• Eliminate shipment rejections and traceability gaps

Export Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Lead and enforce ITAR / EAR compliance across all operations
• Ensure proper classification, licensing, and documentation for international shipments
• Act as internal authority on export compliance execution and risk

Operational Systems & Data Discipline

• Own operational execution across Avsight (ERP), Accounting Seed, and Salesforce
• Ensure alignment between orders, inventory, shipments, and financial outcomes
• Drive data accuracy and system discipline across all teams

Process Documentation, SOP Governance & Knowledge Management

• Own and maintain all SOPs, work instructions, manuals, and quality documentation
• Establish clear process ownership across all departments
• Build and manage a centralized, controlled document library with full version control
• Implement formal change management for all procedures
• Ensure alignment between documented processes, system workflows, and real-world execution
• Train teams and eliminate outdated or conflicting procedures

Supplier Quality & Performance Management

• Develop and manage supplier qualification and performance programs
• Ensure suppliers meet quality, delivery, and contractual requirements
• Lead corrective actions impacting critical programs

Logistics, Inventory & Execution Control

• Oversee logistics and inventory accuracy with a focus on on-time, compliant delivery
• Ensure invoices are accurate, fully documented, and contractually aligned

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Build KPI dashboards (on-time delivery, quality metrics, audit results, supplier performance)
• Lead structured continuous improvement initiatives (Lean / Six Sigma / RCA)
• Drive a culture of accountability, precision, and execution excellence

Leadership & Team Development

• Build and lead a high-performing Quality & Compliance team
• Train employees on government compliance, packaging, and operational processes
• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, Operations, and Program Management

Qualifications

Required:

• 7 years experience in aerospace, aviation, or defense operations/quality/compliance
• Strong experience with government contracts (DoD/USAF preferred)
• Deep knowledge of AS9120 / ISO 9001 environments
• Experience with packaging, traceability, and documentation control
• Working knowledge of ITAR / EAR
• Experience with ERP/CRM systems (Avsight, Salesforce, or similar)
• Proven leadership experience
• US Citizenship

Preferred:

• Experience supporting programs such as KC-46 or similar military platforms
• Experience working with DCMA or prime contractors
• Six Sigma certification
• Background in aviation distribution, MRO, or mission systems

What Success Looks Like

• Zero audit surprises and strong external audit performance
• High on-time delivery with minimal documentation errors
• Fully controlled and scalable process environment
• Strong alignment between systems, operations, and financial outcomes
• A disciplined, accountable, and high-performing operations culture

Compensation & Location

• Location: Columbus, OH (on-site)
• Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience