By Haleigh DeForest and Stephen Harber, Talent Marketing
Zachariah Abdulnour’s transition from intern to full-time TRACK (Technical Rotation and Career Knowledge) employee at GM started with a major challenge: navigating a supplier bankruptcy on day one. And he rose to the challenge.
Now, across four immersive TRACK rotations in GM’s Global Purchasing and Supply Chain (GPSC), Zach has developed the skills, resilience, and mindset to thrive in an industry that’s constantly in motion. At every step, Zach is living proof that TRACK isn’t just a career path—it’s a launchpad for emerging talent who are ready to shape the future.
How did you get on the right TRACK at GM?
I was an intern at GM during the summer before I graduated from Wayne State University, specifically in the Indirect Supply Chain Risk area.
Having previously interned with tier one automotive suppliers, I really liked being on the automotive OEM side and seeing the challenges of manufacturing vehicles. After my internship, I ended up pursuing a cross-functional move to the GPSC TRACK program.
Since I was previously an intern, I didn’t have to undergo any formal interview process — which is a great benefit of being an intern. I was able to come back to GM in the TRACK program after I graduated.
How did your internship experience prepare you for the TRACK program?
It definitely set me up for success.
Interning at GM, even just for 12 weeks, helped me better understand the functions, get comfortable with the software and technology that we use, and gain a clearer understanding of our vehicle and assembly plant footprint. That’s foundational knowledge for GPSC.
When I came back as a full-time employee (FTE) in the TRACK program, I jumped in quicker than people who maybe weren't interns before.
How does the GPSC TRACK program work?
In GPSC's TRACK, we complete four six-month rotations – one in purchasing, one in supply chain, one in logistics, and then we have a “free choice”. I'm currently on my free choice, which I chose to do in one of our vehicle assembly plants.
Why are you excited to work in the auto industry?
Because it’s a fast paced and complex industry. There's always new vehicles, new technologies, and new challenges. This is especially true for Supply Chain.
I’m excited by understanding where we can use my perspective and what I can do to improve relationships with our suppliers.
Zach spends a productive day at Factory ZERO helping oversee materials involved in the assembly for the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ and the 2026 GMC Hummer vehicles.
Why do you think the Supply Chain sector is important right now?
Our vehicles are built using parts shipped from all over the world. There are around 20,000-30,000 parts in each vehicle.
Supply chain is important in understanding the procurement of those parts and getting them from our supply base – but also knowing where our suppliers are at and where they can perform successfully for us.
Understanding the footprint and then figuring out the easiest and most cost-effective way to get those parts to our plants, is also key.
What challenges can arise with that?
Natural disasters or geopolitical tensions that occur are the biggest obstacles, and we have to collaborate to work through both.
Do you have goals for the next few years at GM?
After I graduate TRACK in March of 2026, I want to be placed into a Supply Chain role (hopefully in Warren, MI.)
Long term, of course, I'd love to be a people leader and continue to learn and grow.
What's the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your TRACK role?
My first day on the job, I jumped into a role as a buyer. That same morning, one of our suppliers declared bankruptcy. I thought, “What does this mean for GM?”
This led to other questions like: Could this supplier still produce? Will they find a buyer? If they cannot find a buyer, what is the solution? Are they going to shut down completely? Will we be able to move the business to another supplier as well?
That’s a lot to think about on your first day, right? I got to see a side to the business that most people don't ever get to deal with.
But it was rewarding in the end. I used my skills to build relationships, find the right answers to these questions, and navigate through a web of complexity.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I love traveling, visiting new places and trying new food. I love working out, specifically swimming and biking. I used to be a swimmer in high school, so I’m getting back into that.
Do you have a favorite place you like to travel?
I've been to Venice, Italy. That was definitely one of my favorite places. Second to that would be Japan. I went to Tokyo and some of the smaller cities too. The food was phenomenal in both places.
Zach visits the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine in Kyoto, Japan in 2024 (pictured left), and enjoys breathtaking views during his tour of the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt building in New York City in 2023.
Any favorite dishes?
Sushi is always number one. It's different there. Nigiri is more common in Japan – the kind where you have the rice on the bottom and then fish on top.
As for Italy: pastas. You can tell the pasta is freshly made!
So why is GM a good place to start your career?
The culture here promotes growth, understanding, and learning. Especially experiencing four different rotations in TRACK, in different sides of the business.
That helps you understand the full holistic view of what GM does as a company, and how your department plays into that.
Which GM employee behavior resonates with you and why?
“Own the Outcome.”
Owning the outcome, even when it doesn’t go as planned, shows real growth. Everyone makes mistakes, especially early on. What really matters is how you respond. I believe in taking responsibility, learning from it, and using it to get stronger. One mistake won’t define you. What you do next, will.
Do you have a mentor that you would like to give props to?
I’ve had several and I appreciate each one, but Georgia Pitluk stands out.
She was my first Team Lead and really helped set me up for success. Even though we’re in different parts of supply chain now, we still talk regularly. She’s always been someone I can count on for support and guidance.
Last but not least: what’s your advice for anyone who wants to join TRACK?
Step up, speak out, and lean into the unfamiliar. That’s where growth lives, and that’s how you build the future you want.
Want to get on the right TRACK at GM? Visit our TRACK program page.
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