Decision Analytics Associate Consultant (CMC)

ZS; Maharashtra; On-site; INR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive total rewards package

Robust skills-building programs

Career progression paths

Job summary

ZS is seeking a Decision Analytics Associate Consultant in India, focusing on pharmaceutical CMC drug development. Candidates should have 2-3 years of experience and strong quantitative modeling skills to support global pharma clients.

You'll be involved in project delivery, contribute to data and analytics solutions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. ZS offers a hybrid working model, promoting flexibility between home and on-site work.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience working in a pharmaceutical CMC organization.
• Hands-on experience building/using first-principles and AI/ML models for pharma process development.
• Fluency in English.

Responsibilities

• Leverage quantitative skills to derive answers to business analytics questions.
• Work collaboratively with clients to identify business information needs.
• Develop/use AI/ML models for predictive analytics and process optimization.

Skills

Pharmaceutical CMC experience

Quantitative modeling skills

AI/ML model development

Presentation skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's or graduate degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Engineering, Chemistry, Biotechnology

Tools

ELN, LIMS, ERP systems

Job description

ZS is seeking a Decision Analytics Associate Consultant to join the Supply Chain and Manufacturing practice, focusing on pharmaceutical CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) drug development. This role is designed for professionals with 2-3 years of hands‑on pharmaceutical experience who are ready to apply their domain expertise and quantitative modeling skills to digitalize and analytically transform CMC operations for global pharma clients. You will support project delivery, contribute to CMC data and analytics solution development, and grow your consulting skillset within a collaborative, high‑impact team.

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
• 2-3 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.