From the harsh realities of post-Soviet Siberia to high-stakes supplier negotiations across the globe, Artem Koverznev’s journey defies convention. A former criminal investigator turned procurement strategist, he is part of a new generation of leaders who are redefining procurement not through cost-cutting alone, but through emotional intelligence, cultural agility, and long-term supplier value creation.
So, the question becomes, how can a criminal investigator's ability to decode human behavior reshape global procurement? In a world where logic often fails and trust decides the deal, emotional intelligence may be procurement’s most underrated power tool.
What follows is Artem’s own story…
A journey forged in resilience
I was born and raised in a remote town in Siberia during the 1990s a period of intense economic and social upheaval in Russia. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the country experienced extreme inflation, institutional collapse, and widespread uncertainty. Resources were scarce, rules were changing, and survival often depended more on instinct and intuition than formal systems.
At just 16, I left home on my own and relocated over 2,000 miles to St. Petersburg, Russia - to pursue my studies. At the time this was viewed as a formative act of independence and grit.
My professional career began not in business, but in law enforcement. As a criminal investigator in the public prosecutor’s office, I handled some of the country’s most serious offenses: homicides, armed robberies, and organized crime. My job demanded not just courage, but emotional stability, active listening, and the ability to decode human behavior under pressure, skills that would become surprisingly valuable in a very different field later on.
From criminal law to procurement strategy
Years later, I made what many would consider an unlikely career transition - into procurement. Starting from the ground level at BSH Home Appliances in Russia, I quickly found that my earlier life experience wasn’t an unrelated chapter, but a unique foundation.
Understanding people, reading between the lines, navigating complexity with limited information - these were not just investigative tools, but negotiation essentials.
I went on to design procurement tools, optimize cross-border processes, and lead international sourcing projects that delivered multi-million-euro results not by simply driving down costs, but by building smarter strategies and trust-based supplier relationships.
Emotional intelligence as a strategic asset
Today, I work as Global Category Manager at BSH Home Appliances GmbH headquartered in Munich, Germany. I oversee global procurement for categories worth over €60 million ($69,465,000.00 U.S. Dollars). I lead negotiations and sourcing initiatives across Europe and United States.
What distinguishes my approach to this assignment isn’t just the numbers, it's the mindset. My core skill set blends data analysis, rigorous preparation, and what I call a “trained emotional radar.”
For me, modern negotiations are not zero-sum games, but dialogues.
The goal isn’t to overpower, it’s to understand interests, fears, and cultural dynamics.
A career that doesn’t follow the script
My story might remind you that success doesn’t always follow a straight line and perhaps it shouldn’t. My journey, from criminal investigations to global procurement leadership, illustrates how unexpected experiences can shape rare and valuable capabilities.
In today’s rapidly evolving procurement landscape where cultural intelligence, empathy, and adaptability matter more than ever, my path highlights a vital truth:
Emotional intelligence isn’t a “nice-to-have” anymore. It’s a core capability for building trust, navigating uncertainty, and leading with clarity across borders and cultures.
In the end, it’s not always the perfect résumé that sets us apart, but the willingness to step into the unknown and keep walking, even when the road starts 2,000 miles from everything you’ve ever known.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Artem Koverznev is a global procurement leader with over 15 years of experience in international sourcing, strategic negotiations, and supplier development. He currently serves as Global Category Manager at BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, where he manages a €60M ($69,465,000.00 U.S. dollars) portfolio and leads global projects across Europe, the U.S., and Turkey. He is certified in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt) and was recognized by Supply & Demand Chain Executive as one of the 2025 Pros to Know. Based in Munich, Artem integrates analytics, human-centered strategy, and cross-cultural collaboration to transform procurement into a value-creating business function.
ABOUT BSH HOME APPLIANCES GmbH
BSH Home Appliances GmbH is a leading global manufacturer of home appliances under the brands Bosch, Siemens, NEFF, Gaggenau, Thermador and many others and a proud member of the Bosch Group. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, BSH operates in more than 50 countries with a strong portfolio of renowned brands. Its international mission is to improve quality of life through innovative technologies, sustainable solutions, and customer-centric design. With a global supply chain and a commitment to digital transformation, BSH actively shapes the future of smart, efficient, and responsible living.