Apple’s COO Steps Down After Almost Three Decades

(MENAFN) Apple revealed Tuesday that Jeff Williams, its Chief Operating Officer, will retire later this year after nearly three decades with the company.

Sabih Khan, Apple’s vice president of operations, is set to take over most of Williams’ COO responsibilities starting later this month, according to an official Apple announcement.

Until his departure, Williams will remain at the helm of Apple’s design team, the Apple Watch division, and the company’s health-related projects, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook.

“Jeff and I have worked alongside each other for as long as I can remember, and Apple wouldn’t be what it is without him. He’s helped to create one of the most respected global supply chains in the world; launched Apple Watch and overseen its development; architected Apple’s health strategy; and led our world-class team of designers with great wisdom, heart, and dedication,” Cook stated.

Williams joins a wave of veteran Apple executives stepping down as the tech giant’s workforce ages amid years of swift growth.

At 62, Williams has led Apple’s critical operations division, tasked with managing costs while producing millions of complex devices like the iPhone.

After Jony Ive’s departure as chief design officer in 2019, Williams took charge of major Apple teams, including the industrial design group.

Khan, who has been with Apple for three decades, joined the senior executive ranks in 2019 as senior vice president of operations.

For six years, Khan has overseen Apple’s worldwide supply chain encompassing planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and product delivery, along with spearheading supplier responsibility programs that ensure worker safety and training at factories globally.

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