Based just on the lens through which you describe the two roles it sounds clear the first option is it what huh would prefer. And that's great. Really good salary, upward mobility opportunities, and gives you the stability (at work and at home) it seems you really value. Congrats on two great options.

Money isn't everything.

Bingo! Don't make your decision based on money. That sounds crazy but both jobs make good money. If the second job outside of the money sounds like something you want to do and is a better opportunity, then take it

Either way congratulations on two great offers! Best of luck to you!

Where is 1.5 hrs away and what are they manufacturing?

There is more to the situation that I would be considering versus just time, money, and distance.

Unless your wife had some kick ass job, jump in with both feet. Move the family and don't look back.

I honestly can't understand how this is a question. The only exception is if you feel the company is doing something illegal or won't be around in a year

Duncan Idaho said:

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Unless your wife had some kick ass job, jump in with both feet. Move the family and don't look back.

I honestly can't understand how this is a question. The only exception is if you feel the company is doing something illegal or won't be around in a year

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this is pretty much where we am at. 250k plus a VP title on your resume. Even if short lived hard to replace that experience.

Option B. Unless you're owned by private equity, you've got to be a real dumbass to get fired in most corporate America jobs that aren't C-suites.

250k salary + bonus equity etc is going to be complete different planet of standard of living.

I'm a pretty firm believer of happiness trumps grinding out a job you loathe. That being said, there is always a line and the potential for essentially doubling your salary in one jump is too good to not try IMO. Plus a VP slot at your age is something most will do some very bad things for at that stage in their careers.

Just my couple cents. If things fall through I have no doubt you'd be able to find your feet again quickly. My knee jerk suggestion is to just give it a shot.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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Option B. Unless you're owned by private equity, you've got to be a real dumbass to get fired in most corporate America jobs that aren't C-suites.

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This is not true in my experience. Politics are a real thing in the exec realm, including below c-suite.

$30,000 Millionaire said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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Option B. Unless you're owned by private equity, you've got to be a real dumbass to get fired in most corporate America jobs that aren't C-suites.

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This is not true in my experience. Politics are a real thing in the exec realm, including below c-suite.

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Ironically the result of this sudden opening for the VP Mfg role. Already seeing it before day 1. And I don't have a good poker face.

The question I would ask, are you climbing the ladder and very intrigued by the prospect of building something? Want a chance to sink or swim based on your own smarts and efforts? If so, take option B and don't look back. Jump in and hit it.


If you are a show up and work, go home and don't worry about it, life is good type (there's nothing wrong with this, I've honestly been both in the past 5 years) then stay comfy with option A and focus on your family and home time.

I don't think there's a wrong answer, but there is a better answer for you and your career. Only you can answer which one it is.

Bob Kelso said:

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$30,000 Millionaire said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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Option B. Unless you're owned by private equity, you've got to be a real dumbass to get fired in most corporate America jobs that aren't C-suites.

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This is not true in my experience. Politics are a real thing in the exec realm, including below c-suite.

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Ironically the result of this sudden opening for the VP Mfg role. Already seeing it before day 1. And I don't have a good poker face.

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You'll probably get somewhat of a pass for a while as the new guy. The experience will be worth it. A lot of surviving at the exec level is just not pissing people who matter off. If this makes sense, be competent but boring.

I guess you could have made it simpler by asking an easy question...

"Do I believe in myself?"

I think a good lens to look through is maximizing dollars earned per hour and minimizing number of hours needed. How many hours are you gonna work in that VP spot?

Truthfully, you're already getting a VP offer at 34 shows you've got potential. Doesn't mean you can't get another shot at one. Especially as you continue to grow in the career field.

You've only got one life man, and I've purposely held myself back career salary wise to spend more time with the wife and kid while they are younger. I've turned down opportunities to make decent salary with a right at 6 figure bonus cause of the family. Doesn't mean I'm not open to it. But money can't buy you time and I've enjoyed seeing my 2YR old photo bomb my zoom calls and being present more in the day to day.

But the chance to double your salary and jump into that kind of role is one I'd be hard pressed to pass. Just depends how you want to end up eventually. I know that once all my kids are in school, I'm gonna be keen to juicing the bank accounts as much as I can.

For me - my goal is financial independence (not retiring early) and not be dependent upon a paycheck to keep the family life style. No one ever went broke taking profits and no one ever wished they had worked more on their death bed.

Ps - really make sure to get the wife's opinion. Even if she said it's your decision - still try to get her thoughts.

Never hired or fired anyone? And they want to make you a VP in charge of all that as well as a lot more ? I question this a lot.

Either move the family and take option 2 or take option 1, being a long distance dad would not be worth it

Option B. We are talking 100% more money. This isnt a "money isn't everything" and I will take 20% less situation. Its 100%. And the down side risk is that you fail and more than likely end up with another $120k+ job soon after.

The child is super young based on your age so its not like you are changing their high school or moving away from lifetime best friends to the other side of the country.

Go take a chance. You can be boring and talk about "money isn't everything" in 10 years when you have money in the bank and you can do anything you want.

Man I'd buy a small sedan or something and do the commute. Especially post COVID I'd imagine you're able to work remotely on occasion especially when you're comfortable in the position. A 90 minute drive gives you a built in time to learn corpospeak from audiobooks and in a few months you'll be able to toe any political situation like the slimy weasel you'll become...

Uh, of course you gotta go with what you decide, not a thread on Texags. But if I knew one of my execs lived 90 min away I wouldn't be expecting to see him in his chair 8-5 every day either.

Bob Kelso said:

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AgsMyDude said:

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What's your wife's take on it? She be willing to move with or would that make her drag her feet ?

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She's a pharmacist. The bread she brings is nice, which is why I don't need to jump so quick.

She really is fine with whichever role I choose. Will not move though, so I'll likely buy a condo.

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Why won't she move? She can't be a pharmacist where you're going?

Isn't a pharmacist one of the most in demand professions?

Bob Kelso said:

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AgsMyDude said:

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What's your wife's take on it? She be willing to move with or would that make her drag her feet ?

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She's a pharmacist. The bread she brings is nice, which is why I don't need to jump so quick.

She really is fine with whichever role I choose. Will not move though, so I'll likely buy a condo.

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I can see why you would have some serious hesitations about this for sure.

Everyone is saying take the money and move but I'm not so sure. If the wife doesn't want to move and this creates some strong division in the house, it may not be the right choice. I know how my wife is and in this situation, things probably would be pretty if I moved and left her with the kid(s).

Is that extra salary worth a potential divorce, etc. down the road? It's a lot more money, sure but that's a tough call.

Do you have help where you are now with the kid that you'd be giving up? Having local grandparents is huge for a relationship with young kid(s).

Sounds to me this is the biggest hurdle to clear. Best of luck, I don't have any advice other than making sure to talk it all through with her on the move. See if you can talk her into it, etc. Otherwise, I don't think I'd do it myself.

I do like the idea of seeing if there is any room for remote hours, etc. Maybe you could be in the office Tued-Thurs or something like that. Remote the rest of time.

Sadly you are correct. Due to his wife's issue with relocating he has two choices:
1) take the corporate 6sigma job, stay married and always harbor a "what if" in the back of his mind. Maybe this turns out to be a good thing, maybe it doesn't.

2) take the vp job and have a miserable life that more than likely ultimately ends in divorce or failure or both.

My question would've been why go through the process of even trying to get the VP job when you knew your wife wasn't comfortable with moving the family for it

Based on what you're saying it doesn't actually seem like an option. Because otherwise that's a very simple decision

ORAggieFan said:

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Do you really truly believe you'll be successful in the VP role? So many times I've seen people take a role they weren't ready for to be let go not long after. I'm dealing with it now, someone the CEO hired before bringing me on board. Will be removing VP title and dropping to an IC this week.

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This was me 20 years ago (the guy that wasn't ready)

The op reminds me of myself at that time and I would have been better of staying on the course I was on.

To clarify my switch on this question. His wife unwillingness to relocate is the deal breaker.

Bob Kelso said:

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Wanted to get your opinions as I am going to need to choose fairly soon.


Company A) - Back to a normal corporate lean/six sigma role with stability - around $130K. Potential to get to 150K+ in 12 months after completing Lean/Six Sigma cert and added to the annual bonus pool. No big target on my back. Don't need to move my family and its openly hybrid.

Company B) - Never done before VP of Manufacturing role, $225-250K + bunch of other goodies. Except, move an hour and a half away from family and have a significant higher chance of failure. Might time phase this to mitigate risk or buy a condo (possible option). Might eventually need to move the kid, move the wife, and have them endure this risky journey with me. All new daycare, school district, relearn the area. Lot of hassle depression fuel.

Other details, I'm 34 years old - managed small projects over my time in the work force. Never had to fire or hire anyone, but happy to train and mentor the next gen.

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I'm your age and have a young family and a wife that works.

I've had a similar situation with this in just the last 3 years.

I was at a nice comfortable job - still challenging and still progressing at an above average clip. Compensated well, had tons of friends at work, golfed on many fridays, etc.

Before COVID hit and while my wife was pregnant, I decided to take a leap into a similar industry but very different role. It was a VP level position with some loose guidelines (small company, new role but I knew the owners/bosses well).

This was a considerable pay bump with equity. However, hours were endless, bosses worked around the clock, very little vacation or other benefits, and I was 100% remote (although traveled to different company sites often to get to see people). COVID hit and I became a "sit at your desk for 13 hours a day" person. Couple that with a small child and a wife working through the pandemic and quality of life suffered, significantly.

Paychecks and bonuses were nice but with 2 weeks of PTO and a pretty inflexible, remote schedule, I felt chained to my desk, literally.

I was there for a couple years and learned a TON in my role. Quite invaluable for my field. As you could imagine, prior industry field people began recruiting me with very nice comp packages. I was given the opportunity to go back to what I was doing making 35% more then when I left with more upward mobility.

I've been at the new gig for about 9 months now, and it's going well. Quality of life has improved dramatically, I get to see co-workers and travel again. I still get to work remote when it makes sense and have a more flexible schedule.

Is it as fast-paced and challenging as the prior gig? No, but I feel like I got plenty out of that stop even though I went into it with a "no-looking-back" mindset.



I guess what I'm trying to say is.. and some people have mentioned this already, is... this isn't forever. The sixsigma lean job will be there. Take a risk, take the big pay bump, drink the new role through a firehose and soak it up. You'll likely learn things you never would have in other jobs - use that and add it to your tool belt.

Give it 3 years. If it's not for you, I would be willing to bet you're far better off than had you gone with Option A.

Now, I will say, the personal life thing is the wild card, one which you won't be able to fully grasp unless you take the leap. I found that out the hard way but my wife was supportive of the new role/job the entire time.

Make a list of pro's and con's and think long and hard about what you value most.... but also be realistic on the "finality" of this move - it won't be your last job.