Supply Chain Analytics Course and Case Competition
Who is International Materials?
- International Materials is one of the leading, privately owned, independent bulk raw material trading companies in the world. Headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, International Materials focuses on serving the global needs of customers in the cement, wallboard, and steelmaking industries by efficiently delivering cementitious and solid fuel products to customer specifications.
What is Supply Chain Management (SCM)?
- Supply chain management is the coordination of the network of companies involved in the acquisition, movement, transformation, and distribution of goods and services from the point of origin to the point of consumption at the final customer. SCM also includes the reverse flow of materials from the point of consumption to the point of supply (for example, returns and warranties). SCM functions include sourcing/procurement, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and retail management.
Who can register?
- The competition is open to all undergraduate and graduate students across ALL colleges! Students currently studying supply chain management, business analytics, operations management, industrial engineering, systems engineering, statistics, and computer science are encouraged to sign up. Registration is free, and cash prizes will be awarded to the winning team!
Course & Case competition
Course
- Applied Case Study in Supply Chain Management
- ISM 6930/4930
- ISM 6930 (CRN: 20197)
- ISM 4930 (CRN: 20198)
- Day and Time TBD
- Instructor: Milad Baghersad
In this case competition, students integrate theory into practice to solve a real problem facing a company operating a global supply chain. Students will work as “consultant teams”, supervised by faculty, to collaboratively solve the identified problem from the initial scoping through the solution and reporting phases to the company.
Case Competition
Teams will be made up of 3 (minimum) to 5 (maximum) members:
- Faculty led with regular meetings and check-ins
- Industry interaction
- Potential employment or internship opportunity
- Real-world problem solving
- Cash prizes
Course Learning Objectives
The goal of this course is to take a deep dive into the inner workings of a real supply chain and learn how to solve the key problems it often faces. Specifically:
- Analyze a real firm’s global supply chain activities to solve a business problem the company faces
- Help with the firm’s coordination with suppliers and business partners
- Optimize Information management across the supply chain with partners
- Apply analytical skills (data analysis, visualizations, etc)
Speak With Your Advisor & Register Today!
2026 Competition Highlights
Launch-Kickoff
The kickoff for this exciting event will take place at International Materials headquarters in Delray Beach. All teams will meet with International Materials’ executives and supply chain teams, learn about International Materials’ industry and unique challenges, in addition to being fully briefed on the case setting and problem each team will solve. All teams will be paired with a representative from International Materials, who will serve as their point of contact.
Competition Presentations
Each team will work together to solve the challenges presented by the International Materials team over the course of February, March, and much of April. At the end of this period, each team will prepare a presentation for the executive team of International Materials to be presented at the headquarters in Delray Beach. These presentations will be high-level reports that summarize the key points of the proposed solution, with a specific emphasis on how the International Materials team can implement and deploy each team’s suggestion. Each presentation will be judged by a panel of International Materials' executives who will determine the winner. This will be an in-person event and presentation, followed by an award ceremony.
Inaugural 2024 Competition Highlights
2025 Competition Highlights