Daniele, Stock Manager at Balenciaga

Juggling family and career

Daniele’s journey is one of adaptability, resilience and hands-on learning. Originally from a small town in Liguria, Italy, he took a different path from the conventional university route, choosing to gain real-world experience and a diverse skill set from the very start. He began his career as a construction worker, later moving to restoring decorative facades, before transitioning into the logistics sector.  

Although there was room for professional growth in these areas, Daniele realized there was a limit to how far he could go: "You can reach a position like shift leader, but higher roles are practically inaccessible for someone who started from the bottom."  This motivated him to find a work environment with greater opportunities for advancement and growth. Encouraged by friends working in retail, Daniele applied for a role at a newly opened Balenciaga store and was hired as a Stocker in 2019. In less than three years he achieved his goal for professional growth and was promoted Stock Manager in 2022.  

One of the key aspects of Daniele's successful development at Balenciaga has been the balance he’s been able to maintain between his personal and professional life, thanks to the flexibility and trust offered by Kering. "Kering gave me the opportunity to take advantage of Baby Leave, a parental leave policy that offers 14 weeks off for all employees, regardless of gender, to focus on their family and welcome a new child," Daniele shares. This policy is part of Kering’s commitment to fostering equality in the workplace, ensuring that both men and women can prioritize their families without it affecting their professional growth. Daniele elaborates: "I took parental leave in December 2021, which allowed me to spend valuable time with my twin daughters.”

Daniele attributes much of his success to working alongside highly expert and responsible people. "I am fortunate to work with an extremely skilled team, both in the warehouse and in sales. This allows us to have great flexibility and creates a positive work environment," he emphasizes.  

Looking ahead, Daniele is determined to continue growing professionally whilst maintaining a fulfilling personal life. Kering’s parental leave policy is just one of many ways in which a company can truly support its employees, helping individuals to maintain a healthy work life balance, and enabling them to thrive both professionally and personally.

Daniele in 6 questions

If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be: I would advise my younger self to learn more languages, as I think it really makes a difference in both your professional and personal life.  

What is your favorite thing about your job: The relationships I have with my colleagues. We work together well as a team, and that makes everything much more enjoyable.

What is your dream job: My goal is to become an Operations Manager for the EMEA region.  

Has there been any professional advice that’s stayed with you: Don’t be afraid to speak up. Nothing is truly a problem if you talk about it. However, if you don’t talk about it, that’s when it becomes a problem.

A fun fact about you: I used to do fire juggling!

Do you have a passion: I love playing the drums. Music is one of my greatest passions and will always form an integral part of my life.