After an impressive 27-year career at Apple, Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams is set to retire later in 2025. Williams, who has been a key figure in Apple's leadership, will begin transitioning his duties later this month, with Sabih Khan, Apple's Senior Vice President of Operations, taking over as COO. Williams will remain at Apple until his official retirement later in the year, reporting to CEO Tim Cook and overseeing the design team, Apple Watch, and health initiatives. Once Williams fully retires, the design team will report directly to Tim Cook.
Williams joined Apple in 1998 as the head of Worldwide Procurement. In 2004, he was promoted to Vice President of Operations. Since 2010, he has led worldwide operations for all products. In December 2015, Williams was appointed Chief Operating Officer. Before Apple, Williams worked at IBM from 1985 to 1998 in various operations and engineering roles. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University and an MBA from Duke University.
During his tenure, Williams played a crucial role in Apple's entry into the mobile phone market with the launch of the iPhone. As COO, he oversaw Apple's entire worldwide operations, customer service, and support. He also led the engineering development of the Apple Watch and spearheaded the company's health initiatives. These initiatives include pioneering new technologies and advancing medical research to help people better understand and manage their health and fitness. Notably, Williams also took on some of the responsibilities of design oversight, previously held by Jony Ive. In 2019, after Ive's departure, Apple's design team leaders, Evans Hankey and Alan Dye, began reporting to Williams.
Tim Cook praised Williams for his numerous contributions to Apple. Cook stated that Williams helped create one of the most respected global supply chains in the world and architected Apple's health strategy. He also lauded Williams for leading the design team with wisdom and dedication. Cook expressed his gratitude for Williams's contributions and loyal friendship, noting that Williams's legacy can be seen in the amazing team he has created.
Sabih Khan, Williams's successor, has been with Apple for 30 years and joined the executive team as Senior Vice President of Operations in 2019. Khan has been in charge of Apple's global supply chain for the past six years, ensuring product quality and overseeing planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and product fulfillment functions. He also leads Apple's supplier responsibility programs, which protect and educate workers at production facilities worldwide. Cook described Khan as a brilliant strategist and one of the central architects of Apple's supply chain. Khan has also advanced Apple's environmental sustainability efforts, helping to reduce the company's carbon footprint by more than 60 percent.
Williams expressed his confidence in Khan's leadership. He noted that he has worked closely with Khan for 27 years and believes he is the most talented operations executive on the planet. Khan holds bachelor's degrees in economics and mechanical engineering from Tufts University and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
With Williams's departure, Apple's design team will report directly to Tim Cook. This change marks a shift in the reporting structure, as Cook had placed the design team under Williams in 2019 after Jony Ive's departure.
Williams's retirement comes as Apple faces a complex landscape, including tariff pressures on its supply chain and increasing competition in AI technologies. His departure marks a significant moment for the company as it navigates these challenges.
As Williams prepares for retirement, he plans to spend more time with friends and family, including his five grandchildren. His departure marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Apple's history, leaving behind a legacy of operational excellence, innovation, and dedication to improving people's lives through technology.
