Tell us about Luciano.
I’m 38 years old and I have two daughters who are 15 and 13. I love swimming and go as often as possible–early morning, lunchtime, sometimes after work.
I have been with Giuntini for about 15 years. I started in logistics focusing on deliveries and outbound transport, then moved to finance where I negotiated transport pricing and handled invoicing and contracts. After Giuntini’s acquisition by PPF in 2021, I moved to the procurement team. I love my job and the corporate environment PPF has created.
And before PPF?
I finished my high school exams and was excited to start work. There were a lot of six-month assignments and projects available at the time, one led to another and then another. I have a lot of experience in finance, working for various companies–fresh pasta, men’s shirts, excavators. In 2008, I started my work with Giuntini. It has been great ever since.
What is a typical day like for you?
I bring my daughters to school and then go to work. We need a lot of raw materials to meet production demands, so I spend a lot of the day ordering what is required, reviewing invoices, negotiating transport pricing, and providing reporting to our procurement and transport teams. If there is time, I will try to get a swim in.
How big is the procurement team?
We are three: me, Luca [Tortori], the packaging buyer, and Federico [Volpe], the country buyer for Italy and the lead buyer for PPF’s digestion and antioxidant categories.
What do you like most about your work?
Working in finance meant following many procedures and processes, step-by-step, with no deviation. I learned a lot and that work helped me develop my skills. In procurement, though, the work is much more dynamic. There are many more people in my workday, and there is something new every day.
What is the most exciting thing?
Troubleshooting–sourcing materials at the last minute, finding new suppliers, and learning new processes. Ensuring that production continues sometimes requires a little creativity.
In all of your experience, what has been the biggest surprise?
The friendliness and collaborative atmosphere here—we learn together as a team—are the biggest bonuses for me. Right after the acquisition, I was a little worried about how it would work for a multinational. It has all gone better than I thought.
Do you have any pets?
Yes! Pumba! He is eight years old, and he is a mix. We have had him since he was a puppy.
How do you feel your work aligns with PPF’s purpose?
Our team is very passionate about what we do. This passion extends from making the most nutritious pet food to the kinds of relationships we have with our team members. I want to improve my English so that I can better collaborate with my colleagues at other offices. I also want to find more efficiencies in my day-to-day work to ensure that the products we make are superior.
