Client Details

Körber Pharma Inc. is the North American subsidiary of the Pharma business area of ​​Körber AG, headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, USA. It offers specialized transport and handling systems as well as packaging machines for the pharmaceutical industry.


Employees: 12,000 (group-wide)
Revenue: approx. €3 billion (group-wide)
Project start: August 4, 2025
Start of employment: October 1, 2025

Background

The position was vacant, and the client, based in Germany, was looking for a candidate who:

  • possesses the necessary professional and management experience
  • lives and works in the USA
  • has relevant industry experience
  • is available to start immediately

 

Initially, it was unclear whether the position would be temporary or permanent. However, the candidate impressed so much that he was hired directly on a permanent basis.

 

Job Description

The Vice President Finance is responsible for the entire finance function, with a focus on optimizing planning and reporting processes, and acting as a sparring partner for the Group CFO.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Full responsibility for the entire finance function
  • Preparation of financial statements according to US GAAP (and where applicable German GAAP), budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and derivation of strategic measures
  • Close collaboration with the management/CFO, support during ERP implementation, restructuring, and ensuring compliance and control systems.

Selection by interim-x

Required Experience:

  • Experience as VP Finance at an international mechanical engineering or pharmaceutical/medical technology company
  • Sound knowledge and experience in all commercial functions, including human resources and IT
  • Sound knowledge of US GAAP
  • Knowledge of German GAAP
  • Resident of the USA
  • Work permit in the USA

Managers Profile

The interim manager holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and Management with international leadership experience and broad expertise in finance, controlling, contract management, restructuring and M&A.

 

Key Experience

  • Leadership positions as CFO and Head of Finance & Accounting in international corporations
  • Industries: Automotive supply, construction, electrical engineering, consumer goods, consulting, retail
  • Extensive experience working in multicultural teams with global responsibility

 

Key Achievements

  • Management of four production sites with 1,100 employees in North and South America
  • Successful turnaround and M&A projects, including the integration of acquired companies
  • Implementation of a globally standardized SAP system
  • Sustainable profit improvement through efficiency programs and close collaboration with global headquarters

To fill the position (Vice President Finance) on a permanent basis for our US subsidiary, Körber Pharma Inc., in Fargo, North Dakota, we engaged interim-x in July 2025. At the end of August, we decided to hire one of the candidates from interim-x starting in October 2025.

Interim-x works purely on a success-fee basis, delivered perfectly matched candidates from the US within just a few days, and designed the entire process to be highly client-focused. We were very impressed by the collaborative partnership with interim-x and their speed in the area of ​​executive search.

Walied Elkamhawy Team Lead Recruiting | Körber Pharma Inc.

Case Study (PDF)

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