Tate Ramos
Senior Leader
Leander
Summary
Senior leader with 20+ years of experience advancing animal welfare standards, category strategy, and operational excellence within the meat and poultry industry. Proven track record of leading national teams, driving supplier partnerships, and shaping initiatives that elevate brand differentiation and sustainable sourcing.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Senior Principal Animal Welfare Advisor
Whole Foods Market, Global Headquarters
10.2024 - Current
- Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive animal welfare policies and strategies
- Provide expert consultation on complex animal welfare issues to internal stakeholders and external partners
- Conduct regular assessments and audits of animal welfare practices across facilities
- Design and oversee training programs for staff on animal welfare best practices
- Collaborate with research institutions and industry partners to advance animal welfare standards
- Develop and monitor key performance indicators for animal welfare programs
- Represent the organization at industry conferences and regulatory meetings
- Lead investigations into animal welfare incidents and implement corrective actions
Executive Leader- Meat and Poultry
Whole Foods Market
12.2022 - 10.2024
- Lead team of 12 Category Merchants and Buyers. Provide strategy, training, and guidance to team to align with company goals and further careers as buyers and merchants.
- Develop category strategy based on financial expectations, category role, category performance, customer and product trends, competitive landscape and Whole Foods Market differentiators for 11 regions and Canada for over 500 locations.
- Partner with regional merchants, operations, and cross functional teams such as quality standards, quality assurance, marketing, and legal to articulate programs, messaging, and company goal to out team members and customers.
Principal Category Merchant- Meat
Whole Foods Market
04.2019 - 12.2022
- Assortment planning. Ongoing reviews of category & market insights, product trends, and competitive landscape. Focus on seasonal shifts & brand strategy
- Partnership with store operations and regional teams to translate assortment plan into actionable store level planograms/schematics
- Price management of relevant categories, up to full program mix, to achieve financial plan, including promotions
- Provide strategic direction to supplier partners, Regional Meat Coordinators and purchasing team
Meat and Seafood Category Manager
365
12.2015 - 04.2019
- Developed mix and merchandising for new store concept including over 100 first to market prepackaged meat and seafood items
- Opened 13 stores across 7 regions with the new and evolving concept of a curated and value driven mix.
- Organized schedules and logistics to get the unique mix of products to locations that are geographically spread out across the US.
- Set pricing and promos
- Main point of contact for all things Meat and Seafood related for employees, vendors, regional, and global partners.
Regional Meat Associate Coordinator
Whole Foods Market, Northeast Region
05.2008 - 12.2015
- Oversee and guide the meat dept operations, purchasing, promotions, leadership, and training for 33 stores.
- Opened 19 stores. Involved in design, equipment, hiring, innovation, promos, product section, retail execution and team support.
- Created a meat leadership training program that has moved 100+ team members into leadership roles.
- Lead on all Meat promotions for the Northeast region.
- Meet with vendors to improve programs and develop new product ideas. Visit farms and facilities.
Meat Supervisor- Meat Team Leader
Whole Foods Market, Chelsea, NY, Bowery, NY and Union Square, NY
08.2003 - 05.2008
- Opened the 3rd and 4th stores in NYC. Responsible for all aspects of the meat department, inclusive of scheduling, hiring, ordering, merchandising meat displays and mentoring team members.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
New School University
New York, NY01.2003
Skills
- Category Strategy
- Animal Welfare
- Policy
- Supplier Partnerships
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Training & Development
- Pricing & Merchandising
- Operations Optimization
- Sustainability Initiatives
Certification
PAACO Certified Auditor Training
Timeline
PAACO Certified Auditor Training
04-2025
Senior Principal Animal Welfare Advisor
Whole Foods Market, Global Headquarters
10.2024 - Current
Stagen Leadership Acadamy
01-2023
Executive Leader- Meat and Poultry
Whole Foods Market
12.2022 - 10.2024
Principal Category Merchant- Meat
Whole Foods Market
04.2019 - 12.2022
Meat and Seafood Category Manager
365
12.2015 - 04.2019
Regional Meat Associate Coordinator
Whole Foods Market, Northeast Region
05.2008 - 12.2015
Meat Supervisor- Meat Team Leader
Whole Foods Market, Chelsea, NY, Bowery, NY and Union Square, NY
08.2003 - 05.2008
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
New School University