Preparation for this role requires a blend of technical readiness and a clear understanding of the logistics industry. You should focus on demonstrating how your analytical skills directly translate into business value.

Domain Expertise – You must be comfortable discussing the nuances of the ocean transportation market. Familiarize yourself with the regulatory environment, specifically the FMC and STB, as these are critical to the company's compliance and operational standards.

Analytical Rigor – Interviewers will assess your ability to handle data sets and produce accurate, timely work. Be prepared to explain how you structure your analysis and how you ensure attention to detail when dealing with sensitive information.

Collaboration & Communication – Because you will work with sales, brokerage, and upper management, your ability to translate data into actionable advice is essential. Demonstrate how you build consensus and maintain professional relationships across different levels of the organization.

Cultural Alignment – Trailer Bridge emphasizes an "upbeat culture" and strong core values. You should be prepared to discuss how you contribute to a team-oriented environment, even when under strict deadlines or facing changing business demands.

The interview process at Trailer Bridge is generally focused on assessing both your technical competency and your ability to fit into their collaborative, fast-paced environment. Candidates typically undergo a series of interviews that involve discussions with the Pricing Manager and potentially other cross-functional leads. The process is designed to be efficient but rigorous, emphasizing practical application over purely theoretical knowledge.

You should expect the process to test your problem-solving capabilities in real-time. Whether you are asked to walk through a pricing scenario or explain your technical background, the interviewers are looking for a "self-starter" who can hit the ground running. The tone is professional, and they value candidates who are energetic, positive, and capable of handling the nuances of the logistics industry.

This timeline provides a high-level view of the progression from initial screening to potential offer. Use this to pace your preparation, ensuring you have enough time to review technical skills before the deep-dive interviews. Keep in mind that internal hiring is a common practice at Trailer Bridge, so demonstrating your unique value add is critical.

Pricing Strategy & Execution

This area is the core of your potential impact. You will be evaluated on your ability to balance profit margins with market competitiveness. Strong performance involves demonstrating a systematic approach to quoting and a deep understanding of cost drivers.

Be ready to go over:

• Rate Modeling – How you build and refine rate offerings based on cost and market data.
• Negotiation Tactics – How you handle case-by-case requests while protecting company margins.
• Contract Management – Your process for ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies like the FMC.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through how you would respond to a sales request for a discounted rate on a high-volume route."
• "How do you handle a situation where a customer disputes a contract term?"

Technical Proficiency

As a Financial Analyst (or Pricing Analyst), your technical toolkit is your primary asset. You must demonstrate high fluency in the tools that drive the company’s pricing operations.

Be ready to go over:

• Database Skills – Proficiency in relational databases and how you pull/analyze volume reports.
• Excel/PC Skills – Advanced functions, data visualization, and error-checking protocols.
• AS400 Experience – If you have experience with legacy systems, highlight how you’ve navigated them to pull data or manage records.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a complex data project you completed in Excel."
• "How do you ensure data accuracy when working under tight deadlines?"

As a Pricing Analyst, your day-to-day work centers on the lifecycle of a quote. You will receive requests from the sales team, research the relevant cost data, and analyze the feasibility of the request. Once analyzed, you will either propose a competitive rate or negotiate with the sales team to ensure the quote remains profitable for Trailer Bridge.

Collaboration is constant. You will be in regular contact with Truck Ops and Brokerage to understand capacity and cost fluctuations. You are also responsible for maintaining the integrity of tariffs and contracts, ensuring they are always in alignment with STB and FMC regulations.

Finally, you will be expected to generate and analyze sales and volume reports, which provide the leadership team with the visibility they need to make high-level strategic decisions. The ability to handle these multiple, overlapping priorities with a positive attitude is what defines success in this role.

A competitive candidate for this position will demonstrate a mix of industry experience and strong analytical skills.

• Must-have skills:
  • 2-3 years of experience in the ocean transportation market.
  • Strong proficiency in Excel and relational databases.
  • Familiarity with FMC and STB regulatory requirements.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Nice-to-have skills:
  • Prior experience with AS400 systems.
  • A bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a related field.
  • Proven track record of managing contract disputes or complex negotiations.