Supply Chain Passion

Age is nothing but a number for Bauer College alumnus Zain Rauf (BBA ‘15). 

Rauf has been named the 2023 Megawatt Winner in the 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars recognition program from the Institute of Supply Chain Management, which annually shines a spotlight on outstanding young procurement and supply chain management professionals for their passion, creativity and contributions to the industry. 

Less than a decade after earning his undergraduate degree from Bauer College, Rauf now serves as the sole supply chain lead managing Shell’s second-generation ethanol portfolio, which involves a first-of-its-kind licensed technology for the company. 

Before landing the role with Shell, Rauf gained a range of experience in other positions, including a procurement specialist for Total and a consultant for Besunyen Holding Company Limited. 

“What intrigued me about the supply chain field was the fact that it was very diverse,” he said. “You work with a lot of different kinds of teams with different backgrounds and experiences, and you're not really restricted to doing the same kind of tasks on a daily basis. Supply chain has become more and more dynamic with time.” 

In his current role with Shell, Rauf has established a new supply chain for development of a multimillion-dollar pilot scale facility, which will be extended into multiple commercial scale plants worth more than $1 billion in the next five years. 

“The project that I am leading right now is an oil construction plant, and we're trying to create new technology within an existing ethanol space,” Rauf said. “What made me excited about this project is having some innovation when it comes to bringing all these new suppliers and stakeholders on board, creating something from scratch, something that has not been done before.” 

As Rauf closes in on the completion of this project, he reflects on the important lessons Bauer taught him.  

“One thing that has stayed with me since I was at Bauer was having that curiosity and being able to maintain it,” he said. “Remember to have an open mind and have a learner's mindset. Don't be shy of getting your hands dirty with something you are unfamiliar with.”