Above_420's journey

I recently found myself at a crossroads in my career as a Lead Control Room Operator, earning $88K a year with some overtime. My job has limited responsibilities, and despite completing all management training offered by my current employer, I can't move into a salaried position due to company policy. The only way up would be to surpass my supervisor, who has family ties to upper management, making that unlikely. In my search for better opportunities, I was approached by a family-owned business offering me a Production Supervisor role with a starting salary of $100K. They also mentioned a potential path to become Plant Manager within five years, with that position currently paying around $150K. However, the catch is that they don't have a Plant Manager at the moment, meaning I would effectively be doing that job without the title. The new company, which has been in business for 30 years, is launching a new operation that I would oversee. By late March, I would merge this with their existing operation and manage three lead employees directly. I'm torn between staying at my stable job with a large company that offers traditional benefits like a 401(k) and health insurance (though not the best), or taking a risk with the smaller company for a higher salary and more responsibility, despite lacking a 401(k). They are offering a $10K annual bonus and up to $1,000 per month for health insurance reimbursement instead. I’m curious to hear thoughts from others who have faced similar decisions. Should I prioritize stability and benefits, or take the leap for potential growth and higher pay?