Decision Analytics Consultant - Retail/Operations

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. ZS is looking to hire a Decision Analytics Consultant for its San Francisco or Los Angeles office. Our team partners with leading distribution, wholesale, and commercial organizations to solve complex business challenges through the strategic application of data, analytics, and technology. As a consultant, you will work directly with clients to deliver insights that drive operational and business decisions, support transformation initiatives, and create measurable impact. This is an opportunity to join a high-growth, entrepreneurial team, take on significant responsibility, and help shape the future of a rapidly expanding practice. Why Join This Team? • Be a part of a high-growth, entrepreneurial team helping shape a rapidly expanding practice. • Solve complex business challenges at the intersection of analytics, technology, strategy, and operations. • Partner directly with senior client stakeholders on high-impact transformation initiatives. • Work in a collaborative global environment with opportunities for accelerated growth and leadership development. • Leverage AI and emerging technologies to drive innovation and create measurable business impact. What You’ll Do • Leverage quantitative skills to derive answers to clients' ongoing business analytics and reporting questions. • Partner with client stakeholders to solve complex business challenges across supply chain, distribution, wholesale, and commercial operations. • Translate business needs into data-driven recommendations by combining analytics, technology, and strategic problem-solving. • Lead project workstreams and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful client outcomes. • Develop executive-ready analyses, dashboards, and visualizations that enable informed decision-making. • 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. • Proven ability to manage complex projects and diverse teams with multiple skill sets. • Strong ownership mindset with the ability to drive accountability and outcomes. • Experience balancing strategic thinking with execution rigor. • Leverage emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to accelerate insights, innovation, and client delivery. • Self-starter mentality someone who can “figure it out,” experiment, and hustle using available tools. • Passion for shaping how AI transforms consulting and client delivery. • Exceptional ability to create clear, compelling stories and executive-ready deliverables. • Strong client presence and ability to influence stakeholders. What You’ll Bring • MBA with a bachelor's (and often graduate) degree in quantitative, analytical discipline, such as Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Management Science, Data Science, Statistics, Econometrics, or Engineering. Alternately, candidates may possess a PhD in marketing, economics, decision sciences or related field with a business application. In lieu of an MBA or PhD, 5-8 years of relevant work experience may substitute. • Up to 3 years of post-MBA relevant work experience, and 3-5 years of pre-MBA relevant work experience, with evidence of strong analytic work (including use of advanced modeling techniques and tools such as R, SAS, Tableau, or VBA . • 4-8 years of experience working in supply chain, distribution, wholesale, retail operations, or other large-scale commercial environments. • 2-5 years of relevant management consulting experience. • Demonstrated ability to lead projects, manage stakeholders, and drive workstreams from problem definition through implementation. • Ability to connect analytical findings to business outcomes and communicate recommendations to executive stakeholders. • Experience leveraging AI tools and emerging technologies to enhance problem-solving, productivity, and decision-making is a plus. • High motivation, good work ethics, maturity and personal initiative. • Aptitude for, and enjoyment of, leading and managing teams. • Effective oral and written communication skills that enable personal impact with senior-level decision makers. • Strong attention to detail, with a quality-focused mindset. • Analytic problem-solving skills, with a creative and innovative outlook. • Client service orientation. • 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