Apple Inc. has announced a major leadership transition with longtime executive Jeff Williams set to step down from his role as Chief Operating Officer later this month. Sabih Khan, Apple’s current Senior Vice President of Operations, will assume the COO position in what the company described as a long-planned succession.
Williams, who has spent nearly three decades at Apple and played a pivotal role in shaping its global operations and health-focused product strategy, will remain with the company through the end of the year. During the interim, he will continue reporting to CEO Tim Cook and overseeing Apple Watch, Apple’s health initiatives, and the company’s design team—responsibilities that will transition to Cook upon Williams’ formal retirement.
A Legacy Built Over 27 Years
First joining Apple in 1998, Williams was instrumental in the launch of the iPod, iPhone, and Apple Watch, and has since overseen the development of Apple’s health platforms and led the design team. His tenure also included building one of the most sophisticated and resilient global supply chains in the technology sector, supporting Apple’s growth across markets in North America, Asia, and beyond.
“Apple wouldn’t be what it is without him,” said CEO Tim Cook in a statement, highlighting Williams’ contributions across product innovation, supply chain, and leadership. “Jeff’s true legacy can be seen in the amazing team he’s created.”
Khan to Lead Operations
Khan, a 30-year Apple veteran who joined the executive team in 2019, has been credited with overseeing the company’s supply chain during a period of global disruption and strategic reinvention. Under his leadership, Apple expanded its manufacturing presence in the United States, deepened its environmental commitments, and implemented advanced manufacturing technologies across its network of suppliers.
Cook praised Khan as a “brilliant strategist” whose operational expertise has helped Apple reduce its carbon footprint by more than 60 percent. He also noted Khan’s leadership style as values-driven and collaborative—qualities seen as vital to Apple’s next chapter.
Operations Experience Anchored in Sustainability and Scale
Khan’s scope at Apple has included global logistics, procurement, product fulfillment, and supplier responsibility programs aimed at worker education and rights. He has helped position Apple’s environmental manufacturing programs at the forefront of the industry, aligning operations with broader corporate sustainability goals.
Before joining Apple’s procurement team in 1995, Khan worked in engineering roles at GE Plastics. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and economics from Tufts University and a master’s in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Looking Ahead
Williams’ retirement, which follows his 27th anniversary with Apple and 40 years in the tech industry, comes with plans to spend more time with his growing family. “Working with all of the amazing people at this company has been a privilege of a lifetime,” said Williams. “I think [Sabih] is the most talented operations executive on the planet. I have tremendous confidence in Apple’s future under his leadership.”
With Khan’s promotion, Apple continues its commitment to internal leadership development and operational excellence—core to its global product delivery model. The transition underscores Apple’s broader strategy to maintain organizational continuity as it moves deeper into new product categories and expanded health and wellness initiatives.
