Dato’ Zulkifli’s career began as a legal counsel at Panglima Aces Sdn. Bhd. in 1997. Rapidly ascending the ranks, he distinguished himself as an advocate and solicitor at Messrs Raslan Loong within the same year and by 2002, Dato’ Zulkifli became a partner at Messrs Rashid Zulkifli. Beyond his legal practice, Dato’ Zulkifli serves as a director and major shareholder of MMA Resources Sdn. Bhd., an oil & gas company.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Dato’ Zulkifli is actively engaged in shaping the landscape of development and governance. Currently, he holds the positions of Chairman and Director at Era Universe Development Sdn. Bhd., a development company.

Dato’ Zulkifli had served as the Legal Advisor for Johor State Government Linked Companies (GLC). His diverse portfolio included directorships in esteemed organisations such as the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia, the regulator body of cooperatives in the country; Board of Trustee of the Foundation of Research and Transformation, an independent think tank research body of the Prime Minister’s Office; and Songa Offshore Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Internationally, Dato’ Zulkifli was a director and management member of the Chartridge Conference Centre (UK) Limited, overseeing the operations of four hotels and conference centres in the United Kingdom.
In 2020, Dato’ Zulkifli assumed the position of Chairman at ldaman Pharma Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of Pharmaniaga Berhad (Pharmaniaga) and subsequently, appointed as the Group Executive Director of Pharmaniaga in March 2022. In February 2023, he was redesignated as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Pharmaniaga.

In January 2023, Dato’ Zulkifli was appointed as a board member of University Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) and in June 2023, he was appointed to be the Chairman of USIM Tijarah Holdings Sdn. Bhd., the holding company of USIM. He was also appointed as the Chairman of the Advisory Panel (Faculty of Sharia and Law) and the Investment Committee.

On 1 March 2024, Dato’ Zulkifli was appointed as the Executive Director of Pharmaniaga, taking over the role and functions of the Executive Committee which was dissolved, and subsequently, he was redesignated as Managing Director on 1 September 2024.