Apple COO Jeff Williams to Retire After 27 Years; Sabih Khan Named Successor
By F.M.I.E Sources
Key Points:
- Apple COO Jeff Williams will step down later this month, ending a 27-year tenure.
- Sabih Khan, SVP of Operations, will assume the COO role as part of a planned leadership transition.
- Williams will continue to oversee Apple’s design, Apple Watch, and health initiatives during his remaining time with the company.
Apple announced Tuesday that Jeff Williams, the company’s Chief Operating Officer and a pivotal figure in its global success, will retire later this year. Williams, who joined Apple in 1998, has been instrumental in building what many call one of the most advanced supply chains in the world. His contributions spanned product design, operations, and Apple’s health initiatives.
According to F.M.I.E Sources, Williams will officially step down from his current role later this month, with Sabih Khan, the company’s Senior Vice President of Operations, stepping into the COO position. Apple emphasized that this transition has been part of a long-planned succession strategy.
Though Williams is stepping back from daily operations, he will continue reporting to CEO Tim Cook, overseeing the Apple Watch, Apple’s health efforts, and leading the design team until his final departure. Following his retirement, Apple’s design team will report directly to Cook.
“Jeff has helped create one of the most respected global supply chains in the world; launched the Apple Watch and guided its evolution; shaped Apple’s health strategy; and led our world-class design team with wisdom, heart, and dedication,” said Cook in a statement released via F.M.I.E.
Reflecting on his tenure, Williams said: “June marked my 27th anniversary with Apple, and my 40th in the industry. I look forward to spending more time with friends and family.”
Williams’ retirement marks another exit of Apple veterans who were crucial during the company’s explosive growth years. At 62, he follows in the steps of several key executives who led the company’s transformation into a global tech leader.
His departure also comes at a challenging time, as Apple’s supply chain faces increasing strain due to shifting geopolitical tensions, including U.S. tariffs on imports from several key manufacturing regions and pressure from Washington to move production to the U.S.
Williams was known not just for his operational excellence but also for assuming leadership of Apple’s industrial design team after Jony Ive’s departure in 2019, a team once viewed as Apple’s creative soul.
Sabih Khan, who will take over as COO, has deep roots in Apple’s operations. Joining the procurement division in 1995, Khan has been closely involved in supply chain management and product manufacturing. In 2019, he was promoted to the executive leadership team as Senior Vice President of Operations.
Apple said Khan will now lead all aspects of operations, including supply chain, product quality, planning, procurement, and fulfillment. A mechanical engineer by training, Khan holds degrees from Tufts University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Known for his hands-on leadership, Khan once famously flew to China on a moment’s notice to resolve a manufacturing crisis — a move that reportedly impressed Cook and solidified his reputation as a problem-solver.
With this transition, Apple signals a new chapter in leadership while maintaining continuity in its operations backbone. F.M.I.E Sources will continue monitoring developments as Williams prepares to exit and Khan assumes one of the most critical roles at the world’s most valuable company.