Perdue Specialty Meats has appointed Jeff Amoscato to be vice president and general manager of Niman Ranch, leading the strategy, operations and growth of the brand.

Amoscato brings more than two decades of leadership experience in premium restaurants, hospitality, culinary innovation, sourcing, supply chain and brand growth. He most recently served as senior vice president of Supply Chain and Menu Innovation for Shake Shack.

Amoscato started out as a chef in the kitchens of Jean-Georges, Le Cirque 2000 and Ristorante San Domenico in Imola, Italy, before joining Union Square Hospitality Group. For Union Square, he moved from restaurant operations into purchasing and supply-chain leadership, helping support the early growth of Shake Shack, the announcement noted. He was one of Shake Shack’s first corporate employees and helped build the supply chain, culinary and quality functions. He worked closely with Niman Ranch as a trusted supplier.

“What makes [Amoscato] uniquely qualified to lead Niman Ranch is that he genuinely believes in what this brand stands for and shares our conviction that exceptional food begins with responsible farming, strong partnerships and integrity,” explained Ryan Perdue, senior vice president, Perdue Specialty Meats & Emerging Brands. “He believes that businesses like Niman Ranch can play an important role in improving our food system, and he’ll be an excellent steward of that mission as we continue to grow.”