Meet Stacy Sutton – SVP/General Manager, Life Science Division at Argonaut
What’s a day in the life of a General Manager at Argonaut?
“As General Manager of the Life Science Division, no two days are ever the same,” Stacy Sutton shares. Leading in a dynamic environment, her role spans multiple disciplines, from working with clients and business development teams to coordinating with manufacturing, supply chain, and executive leadership.
“In a company like Argonaut, you wear a lot of hats,” she explains. “One moment, I’m in a high-level strategy meeting, and the next, I’m on the manufacturing floor, helping ensure production is running smoothly. It’s a vertical role that requires adaptability and problem-solving.”
How does your work drive Argonaut’s mission forward?
“Our work directly impacts patient outcomes on both small and large scales,” Stacy says. Whether guiding a breakthrough innovation from concept to commercialization or supporting large-scale pharmaceutical production, her role ensures life-changing treatments reach those who need them.
She highlights n-Lorem, a program developing treatments for patients with ultra-rare diseases. “In some cases, we’re making a difference in a single person’s life when no other treatment options exist. With other partners, we’re producing diagnostic assays that can benefit millions. That kind of impact is what makes this work so rewarding.”
What makes your role special to you?
“The variety,” Stacy answers without hesitation. “Every project presents a new challenge. Some clients bring familiar products, while others come with groundbreaking innovations that require us to strategize new approaches. That continuous learning keeps the work exciting.”
“Our work directly impacts patient outcomes on both small and large scales.”
How do your personal interests shape your approach to leadership?
Stacy has a deep appreciation for wine—both as a hobby and as a way to connect with others. “Wine is a social experience. It’s about bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and appreciating craftsmanship,” she says.
She sees a similar value in her work. “In a high-pressure field like contract manufacturing, relationships matter. Success depends on collaboration, trust, and enjoying the team you work with. If you respect and have fun with your colleagues, it makes even the most challenging days worthwhile.”
Can you share a moment when teamwork made the difference?
“Every project comes with challenges,” Stacy says. “It’s never a question of if a problem will arise, but when, and how we solve it together.”
As an example, during COVID-19, supply chain disruptions required adaptability, Stacy recalled: “We had secured sterilized ready to use stoppers for production but then the lead times kept changing for the worst. The entire team—procurement, manufacturing, engineering—came together to problem-solve by procuring stoppers and validating the sterilization ourselves, which was not in our original plan. That kind of teamwork is invaluable.”
What advice do you have for others pursuing a demanding career in biotech?
“Don’t be afraid to step into challenges,” Stacy advises. “Even if you don’t feel like you have all the skills yet, go for it anyway. Seek out mentors, learn from those around you, and push yourself outside your comfort zone. Some of the best career growth happens when you take on something that stretches your abilities.”
She also encourages embracing the opportunities that come with working at a company like Argonaut. “If you’re willing to take on multiple roles, you’ll gain an incredible breadth of experience. But you must be proactive—opportunities won’t necessarily be handed to you.”
“Combination products is a specialized but rapidly growing market, and we have the expertise to make a real impact.”
What are your future goals at Argonaut?
Stacy is passionate about seeing Argonaut grow. “I’d love to see us become a recognized center of excellence in combination products. It’s a specialized but rapidly growing market, and we have the expertise to make a real impact.”
She’s also excited about the company’s advancements in in-vitro diagnostics. “COVID-19 changed the landscape for point-of-care testing, and I want Argonaut to be at the forefront of that innovation.”
Final Thoughts
“Working in contract manufacturing feels like dog years—one year is like seven!” Stacy jokes. “But that’s what makes it so fulfilling. Every day brings new challenges, new solutions, and new opportunities to make a difference.”
Argonaut is a leader in life sciences and IVD contract manufacturing services with over 100K square feet of manufacturing facilities and has produced more than 4.2M kits since 2016 with Stacy’s involvement in most of these. No other life science, diagnostic, or drug product contract manufacturing organization (CMO) offers broader scale, more flexibility and faster speed to market with lower risk, and less capital expenditures.
Discover how Stacy Sutton’s expertise can elevate your manufacturing processes—reach out to us today to learn more!
