Apple has announced a major leadership transition, confirming that Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams will step down from his role later this month and retire by the end of the year. The announcement marks the end of an era for Williams, who has been with Apple for over 27 years, including the last ten as COO.
Williams will be succeeded by Sabih Khan, currently Senior Vice President of Operations. Despite stepping down as COO, Williams will continue reporting to CEO Tim Cook for the remainder of the year, maintaining an active role in Apple’s design team, the Apple Watch division, and its Health initiatives until his formal retirement.
Williams’ legacy at Apple
During his tenure, Williams was instrumental in building Apple’s global supply chain, widely regarded as one of the most efficient and sophisticated in the world. He played a critical role in the launch and development of the Apple Watch, oversaw the company’s expanding health strategy, and led Apple’s design team with what CEO Tim Cook described as “great wisdom, heart, and dedication.”
Reflecting on his time at Apple, Williams said:
“I have a deep love for Apple. Working with all of the amazing people at this company has been a privilege of a lifetime. June marked my 27th anniversary with Apple, and my 40th in the industry. Beginning next year, I plan to spend more time with friends and family, including five grandchildren and counting.”
Williams also expressed strong confidence in his successor, adding:
“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.”
Sabih Khan’s appointment
Sabih Khan, who joined Apple in 1995, has been a central architect of Apple’s supply chain strategy. Under his leadership, Apple has expanded its manufacturing footprint within the United States, advanced environmental sustainability efforts—including reducing Apple’s carbon footprint by more than 60%—and introduced innovative technologies in advanced manufacturing.
In a statement, Tim Cook praised Khan, saying:
“Sabih is a brilliant strategist… He has helped pioneer new technologies, 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. Above all, Sabih leads with his heart and his values, and I know he will make an exceptional chief operating officer.”
Looking ahead
Williams’ departure marks a significant shift for Apple as it continues navigating an increasingly complex global tech landscape. His leadership was critical during periods of transformational growth and product diversification, particularly as Apple expanded its ecosystem beyond core devices to include wearables, health technologies, and services.
As Khan takes over the COO role, Apple is expected to maintain its focus on supply chain resilience, manufacturing innovation, and environmental sustainability—areas Khan has already significantly influenced during his tenure.
Williams’ retirement later this year will close a chapter in Apple’s executive history, but his influence will remain embedded in the teams, processes, and products he helped shape during his nearly three decades at the company.
