Decision Analytics Associate (CMC)

ZS; Gurugram District; Hybrid; INR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Travel opportunities

Total rewards package

Job summary

ZS is a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it. The Insights & Analytics team designs data-driven solutions for pharmaceutical development across multiple modalities, using advanced analytics and modeling to deliver client impact.

Join a global team that collaborates with Formulation, Process Engineering, Quality, and Regulatory functions. Hybrid work is offered, with travel to client sites as needed and a strong emphasis on career growth and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Materials Engineering or related field.
• 1+ years of experience in a pharmaceutical CMC organization.
• Hands-on experience building first-principles (CFD/DEM) and AI/ML models for pharma process development.
• Experience developing and managing production-grade codes for models, including lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of Quality by Design (QbD) and regulatory milestones in pharma development.

Responsibilities

• Leverage quantitative skills to derive answers to clients' analytics and reporting questions.
• Collaborate with clients to determine data needs and translate insights into action.
• Develop and apply AI/ML models for predictive analytics and process optimization.
• Translate model outputs into actionable client insights for process development and tech transfer.
• Support model validation, verification, and QbD-aligned documentation.

Skills

English fluency

Data analysis

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Materials Engineering or related field

1+ years pharma CMC experience

Tools

ELN

LIMS

ERP systems

First-principles modeling (CFD/DEM)

AI/ML modeling for pharma

Job description

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all.

Here you’ll work side‑by‑side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life‑changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client‑first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business.

Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life‑changing impact to ZS.

Insights & Analytics

ZS's Insights & Analytics group partners with clients to design and deliver solutions to help them tackle a broad range of business challenges. Our teams work on multiple projects simultaneously, leveraging advanced data analytics and problem‑solving techniques. Our recommendations and solutions are based on rigorous research and analysis underpinned by deep expertise and thought leadership.

What You’ll Do

• Leverage quantitative skills to derive answers to clients' ongoing business analytics and reporting questions
• Work collaboratively with clients to ascertain the client's specific business information needs
• Upskill on concepts relevant to solve client problems across modalities
• Execute a specific plan for analyzing the data necessary to secure solutions to clients' particular business information need(s)
• Discuss and determine with clients which specific data may be best utilized in order to perform the necessary analysis
• Evaluate, assess and analyze the data necessary to provide solutions to the client's particular business information needs
• Communicate the data results to the client, with an emphasis on answering the business question as opposed to the analytical and reporting processes used
• Gain immediate familiarity with client's internal processes
• Develop expertise within a client analytics area
• Be available for clients during regular working hours
• Build/use first‑principles models (e.g., CFD, DEM) to simulate and optimize pharmaceutical manufacturing unit operations such as blending, granulation, coating, drying, and tableting
• Develop/use AI/ML models for predictive analytics, process optimization, and quality prediction across CMC workflows — including CQA prediction, CPP sensitivity analysis, and batch outcome forecasting
• Translate model outputs into actionable client insights to support process development, scale‑up, and tech transfer decisions
• Support model validation, verification, and documentation aligned with Quality by Design (QbD) principles and regulatory expectations (e.g., ICH Q8/Q9/Q10)
• Collaborate with cross‑functional client teams (Formulation, Process Engineering, Quality, Regulatory) to identify and prioritize modeling opportunities across drug substance and drug product development
• Advance problem‑solving skills and improve ZS’s capabilities
• Guide and mentor Associates on teams

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's (and often graduate) degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Engineering, Chemistry, Biotechnology or similar degree
• 1+ years of experience working in a pharmaceutical CMC organization
• Hands‑on experience building/using first‑principles (e.g., CFD, DEM) and AI/ML models for pharma process development for at least one modality
• Experience developing and managing production‑grade codes for models, including models' lifecycle management
• Knowledge of key concepts including unit operations, processes, Quality by Design (QbD), tech transfer, process validation, quality attributes, and regulatory milestones across pharma development
• Ability to translate the knowledge of concepts in one modality to other modalities, if needed
• Understanding of the different data and information systems such as ELN, LIMS, ERP systems, and LCM or PLM systems
• Optional: Understanding of the CMC related regulatory submission requirements
• Experience presenting to senior leaders, executives, and audiences with CMC backgrounds
• Ability to lead multiple workstreams and demonstrate effective time and project management skills
• Capability to simplify complex concepts into easily understandable frameworks and presentations
• Proficiency in working within a virtual global team environment, contributing to the timely delivery of multiple projects
• Travel to other offices as required to collaborate with clients and internal project teams
• Fluency in English.
• Client‑first mentality.
• Intense work ethic.
• Collaborative spirit and problem‑solving approach.

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

Perks & Benefits

At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well‑being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills‑building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in India, visit ZS India office locations | Where we work | ZS.

Hybrid working model

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on‑site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face‑to‑face connections.

Travel

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client‑facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.