Job TitleDirector of Pricing & Financial Planning and Analysis
Classification Exempt
Organization Ascend
Working Conditions Appendix B
Department Corporate SG&A
STATUS Full-time
Reports to Chief Financial Officer
Grade 15e
PURPOSE The Director of Pricing & Financial Planning and Analysis is senior leader that owns the company's transportation pricing strategy and lead the FP&A function end-to-end. Reporting to the CFO, you will set pricing and yield direction across the network, support budgeting, forecasting, and planning, and serve as a strategic partner to the executive team and the board. You will build and lead the team that produces the company's pricing models and financial plans, while staying close enough to the numbers to challenge assumptions and defend recommendations at the highest level.
This role will translate operational reality - miles, loads, capacity, fuel, and driver economics - into commercial strategy and financial outcomes. Driving the operating ratio, revenue per mile, and cost-to-serve, and you move fluidly between a strategic customer RFP, a board deck, and a one-on-one with a member of your team.
ACCOUNTABILITIES Pricing Strategy & Yield- Develop and support the company's pricing strategy across truckload/brokerage/dedicated freight, setting the framework for lane-, customer-, and mode-level pricing.
- Direct pricing and analytics for major customer RFPs, bids, and contract renewals; set win and margin targets and approve pricing on strategic accounts.
- Measure fuel surcharge programs, accessorial pricing, and minimum-margin and approval thresholds across the organization.
- Lead competitive and market analysis - spot vs. contract dynamics, carrier costs, and benchmarks - to drive yield, repricing, and business decisions.
- Partner with Finance, Sales, and Operations leadership on cost-to-serve, network density, deadhead/empty-mile economics, and capacity strategy.
Financial Planning & Analysis- Support the CFO in the annual operating budget, quarterly reforecasts, and the multi-year long-range plan.
- Support the CFO in preparing the monthly and quarterly reporting cycle: variance analysis, P&L commentary, and KPI / operating-ratio reporting against plan.
- Build and scale the management reporting and executive dashboard suite; collaborate in defining the metrics that drive the business.
- Support operations in capital planning and ROI analysis for fleet, equipment, technology, and facility investments.
- Support the CFO in building models behind driver economics, fuel, equipment utilization, and maintenance, and connect them to enterprise outcomes.
Leadership & Business Partnership- Build, lead, and develop the pricing and FP&A team; set standards, hire, and grow talent.
- Serve as a strategic finance partner to the executive team; prepare and present materials to the CEO, board, and lenders.
- Support enterprise initiatives - pricing transformation, system implementations, and M&A / diligence - as a finance leader.
- Champion data integrity, process discipline, and a culture of analytical rigor across the function.
Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, supply chain, logistics, and trucking operations, pricing, or commercial finance
- 3+ years leading and developing finance, pricing, operations, or analytics teams.
- Proven track record owning pricing strategy and/or the FP&A function, with measurable commercial or financial impact.
- Deep command of transportation economics and KPIs (operating ratio, revenue/cost per mile, utilization, fuel surcharge mechanics).
- Executive presence and the ability to influence the C-suite, board, and cross-functional leaders.
Preferred- Experience preparing board presentations for executives, lenders, or private-equity sponsors.
- Experience leading pricing transformation, TMS/ERP implementations, or M&A integration.
- Proficiency with BI and data tools (Power BI, Tableau, SQL) and ERP/TMS systems (e.g., TMW, McLeod, MercuryGate, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite).
Core Competencies- Strategic and commercial acumen with financial fluency
- Organizational leadership and talent development
- Executive presence and stakeholder influence
- Analytical rigor and a bias for data integrity
- Sound judgment under tight bid, reporting, and board deadline
WE OFFER- Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage (effective the 1st of the month after hire)
- 401(k)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Enhanced benefits, including Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off
