Jeff Williams, the long-serving Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Apple, will be stepping down after nearly three decades with the company.
In his place, Sabih Khan, Apple’s current senior vice president of Operations, will take over as COO.
Williams, widely seen as a key architect of Apple’s modern era, will remain with the company until the end of the year. During this period, he will continue reporting to CEO Tim Cook and maintain oversight of the Apple Watch and the company’s design team. Once he retires, the design team will report directly to Cook.
Williams’ legacy is embedded in Apple’s operational DNA, from the early days of the iPod and iPhone to the launch and evolution of the Apple Watch. More recently, he steered Apple’s health strategy and led its design organisation with precision and empathy.
“Jeff and I have worked alongside each other for as long as I can remember, and Apple wouldn’t be what it is without him. He’s helped to create one of the most respected global supply chains in the world; launched Apple Watch and overseen its development; architected Apple’s health strategy; and led our world-class team of designers with great wisdom, heart, and dedication,” said CEO Tim Cook.
“I am and will always be beyond grateful for his numerous contributions to Apple over the years and his loyal friendship. Jeff’s true legacy can be seen in the amazing team he’s created and, while he’ll be greatly missed, he leaves the work of the future in incredible hands.”
The now former Apple COO, who marked his 27th year with Apple in June and 40 years in the industry, says the time is right to step back.
“I have a deep love for Apple. Working with all of the amazing people at this company has been a privilege of a lifetime, and I can’t thank Tim enough for the opportunity, his inspirational leadership, and our friendship over the years,” he said.
“Beginning next year, I plan to spend more time with friends and family, including five grandchildren and counting. I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Sabih for 27 years and I think he’s the most talented operations executive on the planet. I have tremendous confidence in Apple’s future under his leadership in this role.”
Sabih Khan, on the other hand, has spent three decades at Apple and has led the company’s global supply chain with a reputation for precision, resilience, and sustainability.
Since 2019, he has served on Apple’s executive team and has been responsible for everything from procurement and logistics to Apple’s environmental initiatives and supplier responsibility programmes.
“Sabih is a brilliant strategist who has been one of the central architects of Apple’s supply chain,” said Cook. “While overseeing Apple’s supply chain, he has helped pioneer new technologies in advanced manufacturing, overseen the expansion of Apple’s manufacturing footprint in the United States, and helped ensure that Apple can be nimble in response to global challenges.
“He has advanced our ambitious efforts in environmental sustainability, helping reduce Apple’s carbon footprint by more than 60 percent. Above all, Sabih leads with his heart and his values, and I know he will make an exceptional chief operating officer.”
Before joining Apple in 1995, Khan held engineering and leadership roles at GE Plastics. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering and economics from Tufts University, and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
This handover is designed to preserve Apple’s operational edge while adapting to new demands. The company is reasserting its focus on deep operational excellence with sustainability and people at the centre.
With the new Apple COO, the company’s supply chain evolution enters a new chapter, shaped by global scale, local manufacturing, and strategic foresight.
