Technology Leader - Supply Chain and Manufacturing

Role Description

ZS’s Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SCM) Practice helps organizations unlock value across the end-to-end supply chain and manufacturing ecosystem by combining domain knowledge, advanced analytics, AI, and digital innovation.

With a team of over 300 experts and practitioners, ZS partners with leading organizations worldwide to drive transformation across planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, quality, and operations. The team has successfully delivered more than 100 transformation programs globally across industries including Life Sciences, Consumer Products, Industrials, Automotive, High-Tech, and Energy.

As enterprises increasingly embrace AI, Generative AI, intelligent automation, and data-driven decision-making, ZS is helping clients reimagine supply chains and manufacturing organizations as connected, predictive, resilient, and autonomous ecosystems.

As a Technology Associate Principal, Supply Chain & Manufacturing, you will lead strategic technology and business transformation initiatives for global clients. You will advise senior executives on supply chain and manufacturing modernization, leveraging AI, Generative AI, advanced analytics, digital platforms, Industry 4.0 technologies, and intelligent automation to drive measurable business outcomes.

This is a senior client-facing leadership role responsible for shaping transformation agendas, growing strategic client relationships, building market-leading offerings, and driving business growth for ZS's Supply Chain & Manufacturing Practice.

You will collaborate closely with client executives, practice leaders, data scientists, engineers, and consultants to deliver innovative solutions that improve planning effectiveness, operational efficiency, supply chain resilience, manufacturing productivity, and enterprise performance.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to executive stakeholders while contributing significantly to practice development, thought leadership, and revenue growth.

What you'll do:

• Develop and execute digital transformation strategies for supply chain and manufacturing clients, from vision to value realization.
• Lead large-scale supply chain transformation, Industry 4.0/5.0 programs, including IoT, IIoT, cloud, AI/ML, and automation projects across sectors such as Automotive, Life Sciences, Oil & Gas, Agriculture, and Consumer Products.Manage end-to-end project delivery, ensuring on-time, within-budget execution and alignment with client objectives.
• Develop and manage client relationships on projects. Deeply understand client’s business challenges and provide thought leadership in addressing issues. Identify opportunities and contribute to the selling of additional work to new and existing clients;
• Active involvement in pre-sales opportunities, building new assets and platforms that will support ZS strategic growth
• Architect and implement digital solution (e.g., digital twins, predictive analytics, smart sensors, process automation) to optimize manufacturing operations, supply chain, quality and maintenance. Have an eye on Industrial/technology disruptions and develop POVs on how to help clients deal with the same.
• Drive organizational change management, ensuring adoption of new technologies and digital ways of working. Lead workshops, training, and stakehoder engagement to foster a culture of innovation and data-driven decision making.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to C-level executives, shaping their digital agendas and guiding strategic investments.
• Represent ZS at industry forums, publish thought leadership, and contribute to the firm’s digital manufacturing practice growth.

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 18+ years of professional experience spanning consulting and core industry roles, with a strong blend of strategic advisory, digital transformation leadership, and hands‑on operational exposure in manufacturing environments.
• Significant tenure in the consulting industry, driving large‑scale transformation programs for global clients, including roadmap definition, operating model design, capability building, and delivery oversight for digital supply chain and manufacturing, IT‑OT integration, control towers, and Industry 4.0/5.0 initiatives.
• Prior foundational experience in the core manufacturing industry, providing deep understanding of real‑world plant operations, production processes, supply chain dynamics, and technology adoption challenges within complex industrial setups.
• Deep expertise in Digital Supply Chain, Industry 4.0/5.0, IoT/IIoT, cloud platforms, Supply Chain Control Towers, AI/ML, automation, and IT‑OT integration, along with hands‑on experience implementing digital manufacturing solutions (MES, QMS, LIMS, PIMS, SCADA, historians, edge computing, etc.).
• Strong knowledge of supply chain and manufacturing processes across multiple sectors (e.g., Automotive, Life Sciences, Oil & Gas, FMCG), combining core industry exposure with consulting‑led transformation experience.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional and multi‑geography teams, manage P&L or portfolio-level financials, and deliver complex, multi‑tower digital programs in advisory and delivery roles.
• Certifications such as PMP, Scrum Master, SIRI Assessor, or equivalent are a plus.

How you’ll grow:

• Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
• Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Hybrid working model:

ZS is committed to a Flexible and Connected way of working. ZSers are onsite at clients or ZS offices three days a week. Combined flexibility to work remotely two days a week is also available. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.