• 2024 Sustainable Supply Chain
    Case Challenge

    The Sustainable Supply Chain Case Challenge offers graduate students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to address a real-world business case relevant to the future sustainability of supply chains.

    The inaugural competition will take place in February 2024 at the Schulich School of Business, York University. The challenge is organized by the George Weston Ltd. Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains in collaboration with Schulich’s Supply Chain and Operations Management Club (SCOMC).

    The competition is made possible through the generous support of Lead Sponsor, CN, and Partner Sponsor, CITT.

    During the case challenge, graduate student teams of up to four students will analyze a real-world business case while competing for top cash prizes.

Challenge Overview:

The case challenge consists of two rounds of competition. During the first round, teams of up to four students will be tasked with analyzing a supply chain case. Teams will submit their solutions electronically by the Round 1 deadline for internal judging. Finalists will be chosen, and the top teams will progress to Round 2 to present their solutions to a panel of industry judges during a live, in-person finals event.

Theme: This year’s challenge will focus on the theme of sustainable last mile delivery and will address how organizations can evaluate sustainable last mile business models and manage the adoption of these solutions within their organizations.

Eligibility: The challenge is open to all graduate students from the Schulich School of Business, as well as partner schools by invitation.  

Prizes: Winning teams will be announced live at the in-person finals event, with top teams receiving generous cash prizes:

  • 1st Place – $1500 CAD
  • Runner Up – $750 CAD

Timeline:

Date: Event:
January 14, 2024 Registration Opens
February 1, 2024 Deadline for Team Registration (11.59 PM EST)
February 2, 2024 Kick-off Webinar for Team Leaders (5 p.m.), Case is Released (8 p.m.)
February 9, 2024 Round 1 Submission Deadline (11:59 PM EST)
February 14, 2024 Internal Judging Completed. Top Finalists Announced
February 15, 2024 Final Presentation Event at the Schulich School of Business (5 – 7 p.m.).
February 20, 2024 Post-Challenge Feedback Shared with All Teams

Lead Sponsor:

CN Logo

Partner Sponsor:

CITT Logo

Presented By:

SCOMC logo

  • Benefits of Participating:

    • Enhance your knowledge and skills in supply chain management by analyzing and solving a complex business problem
    • Gain valuable industry insights and exposure to real-world supply chain challenges 
    • Expand your professional network by connecting with like-minded students, industry professionals, and potential mentors 
    • Compete for the chance to win cash prizes 

Competition Judges:

Isik Bicer

Associate Professor of Operations Management and Information Systems, Schulich School of Business

Faculty Profile

Markus Biehl

Professor of Operations Management & Information Systems

Faculty Profile

Raman Boparai

Director, Financial Planning, Canadian National Railway (CN)

Mara George

Senior Consultant, Digital Supply Chain and Operations, EY

David A. Johnston

Research Chair and Director, George Weston Ltd. Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains, Schulich School of Business

Faculty Profile

Karthik Jothiramalingam

National Planning Manager - RTD, Labatt Breweries

Pina Melchionna

President & CEO, CITT

Lillo Puma

Vice President, Transportation, Walmart Canada

Ashwin Vaidyanathan

Manager, On Demand Shopper and Driver Pool, Walmart Canada

Jacqueline Zhu

Senior Manager, Financial Planning, Canadian National Railway (CN)

FAQs: