Who Should Be Involved in Your Company’s Energy Procurement Decision?

Choosing an energy contract impacts more than just your bills — it affects your budget, building operations, and exposure to market risk. It’s a strategic decision requiring input from the right people who understand every part of your business. Before signing, make sure your team includes the experts who can weigh in on cost, operations, and risk.

Facility Manager: The On-the-Ground Expert

The facility manager is your front-line energy strategist. This is the person who knows building operations inside and out: how, when, and where energy is actually used. They understand operational quirks, seasonality, and the impact of various energy strategies on day-to-day business operations. Facility managers are usually found in buildings that require active, ongoing management of complex operations like office buildings, hospitals, manufacturing plants, warehouses, and universities. With complex systems to manage—HVAC, lighting, security—their input ensures your contract fits your facility’s needs, so you don’t over- or underbuy energy

Businesses that don’t have a facility manager usually operate in smaller or simpler buildings that don’t require ongoing, specialized oversight of operations.

CFO: The Financial Gatekeeper

While the facility manager may keep an eye on the ins and outs of energy, the CFO zeroes in on nickels and dimes. Their focus? Budget certainty, financial risk, and long-term cost control. The CFO will want to know how different contract options (fixed, variable, or blended) will impact the business’s budget and risk exposure. What happens if there’s a market swing?  This role reviews energy contract details through a financial lens. They’re looking for risk management in a volatile market and safeguarding against unexpected costs or penalties. 

Involving financial leadership from the start sets realistic expectations for potential energy savings and protects the business from unwanted surprises.

Sustainability Officer: The ESG Driver

For companies with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets—or those looking to show stakeholders they care about the environment—the Sustainability Officer is all about the big picture. They seek opportunities to reduce carbon emissions, source renewable energy, and align energy purchasing with their overall climate commitments. Their role helps identify offerings that are available through suppliers or third-party vendors, like distributed generation, demand response, or value-adds like EV charging or battery storage. It ensures your energy strategy aligns with public goals and reporting needs.

Procurement or Purchasing Manager: The Professional Buyer

Businesses with complex purchasing needs or multiple suppliers rely on procurement managers to run a structured, transparent buying process, and are usually part of mid-to-large-sized companies that purchase goods and services regularly and on a larger scale. Unlike facility managers—who focus on day-to-day building operations and energy use—they bring critical expertise on vendor negotiations, contract terms, and compliance. They will compare offers fairly and protect the business from hidden fees or unfavorable terms, ensuring you get a fair deal, which is critical for a complex purchase like energy, where details matter.

The Legal Team: The Fine Print Protectors

No one loves legalese, but lawyers ensure you don’t get tripped up by it. They’ll review contract language for potential pitfalls: early termination fees and renewal terms. Involving legal early prevents last-minute contract snags and avoids headaches down the road.

Why “All In” Matters

Energy procurement isn’t just about finding the biggest bang for your buck. Hunting for the right energy strategy is all about aligning the contract with how your business actually runs and where it’s going. With the right team at the table, you can avoid costly mistakes, capture savings, and ensure your energy contract supports long-term goals.

At Catalyst Power^®, we want to talk to everyone at the table. Our team guides you through operational questions, financial modeling, and sustainability strategies—so your next energy contract checks all the right boxes for today, tomorrow, and well into your business’s future.