Apple announced a significant leadership transition as long-serving Executive Jeff Williams prepares to retire later this year. Stepping into the role of Chief Operating Officer, Sabih Khan—an Indian-origin executive who has been with Apple since 1995—will officially assume the position later this month.

Khan brings nearly three decades of experience at Apple, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Operations since 2019. In that role, he oversaw the global supply chain, supplier responsibility programs, sustainable manufacturing partnerships, logistics, procurement, and fulfillment. His efforts have been instrumental in launching key products and steering Apple’s operations through major global disruptions, including the COVID‑19 pandemic. Before joining Apple, Khan worked at GE Plastics as an applications development engineer.

Born in Moradabad, India, in 1966, Khan holds dual bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and economics from Tufts University and a master’s in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His educational foundation and operational expertise earned praise from Apple’s leadership. CEO Tim Cook described him as a “brilliant strategist” and a core architect of Apple’s expansive, resilient supply chain. Williams himself called Khan “the most talented operations executive on the planet.”

Williams, the company’s COO since 2015, is best known for managing Apple’s product operations and playing a key role in the creation of the Apple Watch. He will continue overseeing design and health initiatives until his official retirement, after which those teams will report directly to Cook.

Khan’s rise to COO is viewed as a seamless, long-planned succession that underscores Apple’s confidence in internal continuity. His deep understanding of operations and crisis management equips him to tackle current challenges, including supply-chain diversification amid geopolitical tensions. Analysts say his promotion should reassure investors, as Apple navigates competitive pressure and prepares for future AI-driven product launches.

As COO, Khan will oversee Apple’s complex supply network and execute strategies to broaden manufacturing presence in countries like India—a priority amid global trade fluctuations. His promotion embodies Apple’s ongoing evolution toward sustainability, resilience, and operational excellence as it charts its next chapter of innovation.