Supplier Quality Engineer (Hybrid, DFW Area)

About the role

MaryRuth's is seeking an experienced Supplier Quality Engineer to review and qualify new and existing manufacturers and third-party laboratories, ensuring they consistently meet or exceed company standards and FDA requirements under 21 CFR 111 (dietary supplement cGMPs) and 21 CFR 117 (food cGMPs). This role owns continuous supplier monitoring and a regular audit cadence and will also partner on investigations. The SQE will need to build trustworthy relationships across internal teams and external partners while maintaining strong objectivity and neutrality in every audit and communication. This is a full-time, exempt, salaried, hybrid role with approximately 25% of time spent on-site with manufacturers and third-party laboratories in the Dallas, TX area. Applicants should reside in the greater DFW area.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct on-site and remote audits of contract manufacturers and third-party laboratories against 21 CFR 111, 117 and ISO/IEC 17025 standards, company quality standards, and applicable FDA regulations.
• Qualify new suppliers and re-qualify existing ones; document findings, assign risk ratings, and drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) to closure.
• Continuously monitor supplier performance and quality metrics, escalating trends and risks proactively.
• Support and coordinate with partners on investigations, deviations, complaints, and recalls.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready records and reporting on supplier status and compliance.
• Build and sustain productive, objective relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.
• This role will require commuting by the employee’s preferred transportation method approximately 25% of the time to sites in the greater Dallas, TX area.
• Additional travel will be approximately

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Safety, Chemistry, Microbiology, Process Engineering, or similar (or equivalent experience).
• A minimum of 2-3 years of previous auditing experience in food, beverage, or other FDA-regulated facilities is required.
• Demonstrated work with FDA 21 CFR standards is required; knowledgeable with 111 and/or 117 strongly preferred.
• Prior work within manufacturing is a plus.

Skills

• High level of proficiency in technical documentation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong relationship-building expertise.
• Ability to remain calm, objective, and fair in high-pressure environments.
• Exceptional organizational and prioritization skills, including balancing a high volume of travel.

Benefits

• Paid sick time.
• Paid holidays.
• Flexible paid time off.
• Paid volunteer time off.
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account - FSA.
• Company matched (4%) 401k.
• Eligibility for discretionary bonus.
• Employee and immediate-family discounts on all products (upon 60 & 90 days of employment).

Pay

The compensation for this role is $80,000 to $85,000 USD/year.

Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried, hybrid role with approximately 25% of time spent on-site with manufacturers and third-party laboratories in the Dallas, TX area. Additional travel will be approximately