hi Bhavya
when Zener is porward biased, it works as same as ordinary PN junction dione, with approximate voltage drope of 0.7V-1.5V. But when you reverse biase it, when ever the voltage applied across the cathode and anode is reached breakdown voltage of the particular zener, the reverse current starts flowing throgh it(Zener) and maintains that voltage. the break down voltage of the Zener will be specified by the manufacturer.
The relationship between supply voltage and breakdown voltage is also depens on current limiting resister, because, there will be some voltage drop across that resisiter(Rz) too.
we use this resister to protect the zener(to limit the current throgh Zener).
Vin = Vz+Iz*Rz