Responsible for determining and formulating company sales policies and providing the overall direction of the company's sales program and strategy within guidelines established by the Controller and Chief Executive Officer.  Evaluating suppliers, products, and services.  Planning, directing and coordinating sales operations at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate employees.  Negotiating contracts.  Coordinating  company's sales activities to fund operations and increase revenue.  Ensuring that approved purchases are cost-efficient and of high quality.  Analyzing sales operations to evaluate performance of sales staff in meeting objectives and to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, and policy change.  Assessing competitors by analyzing and summarizing competitor information and trends and identifying sales opportunities.  Developing sales opportunities by researching and identifying potential accounts, soliciting new accounts, building rapport, providing technical information and explanations, and preparing quotations.