By Abhay Ray 
Introduction
In a major leadership shakeup happening over at Apple, Indian-origin business executive Sabih Khan has been named the new chief operating officer. According to a press release dated July (US time), the tech giant announced that its current COO Jeff Williams, 62, will be stepping down from his post later this month. Eventually transitioning to a new position in what has been a long-planned decision, Williams will still report to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Shifting course, he will oversee the word-class design team and Apple Watch along with the company’s Health initiatives. The 27-year company veteran is ultimately poised to retire later this year. Consequently, Apple’s design team will switch to reporting directly to Cook.
Sabih Khan Named New Apple COO
The Indian-origin man whose roots travel back to Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh was born in 1966. As of now, he’s helming the reins as the company’s operations leader. Khan, in his own right, has long been associated with Apple, given his 30-year-old tenure, as per the press release.
“While overseeing Apple’s supply chain, he has helped pioneer new technologies in advanced manufacturing, 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,” the Apple CEO added. “He has advanced our ambitious efforts in environmental sustainability, helping reduce Apple’s carbon footprint by more than 60 percent. Above all, Sabih leads with his heart and his values, and I know he will make an exceptional chief operating officer.”
Khan joined Apple’s executive team in 2019, coming in as senior vice president of Operations. But he started out in the company as a member of Apple’s procurement group in 1995. For the past six years, he’s headed Apple’s global supply chain, ensured product quality and overseen planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and product fulfillment functions. He even shouldered the company’s supplier responsibility programs that protect and educate workers at production facilities all over the world.
Impact & Recognition
Sabih Khan has played a pivotal role in shaping Apple’s global operations. As Senior Vice President of Operations, he led the development of Apple’s robust supply chain and advanced manufacturing systems. He is widely credited for helping the company navigate supply challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic while expanding its production footprint across the U.S., Asia, and India. Under his leadership, Apple achieved a significant milestone by reducing its carbon footprint by over 60%, showcasing his commitment to sustainability. Khan also pushed forward major green initiatives and supplier responsibility programs, reinforcing Apple’s environmental and ethical standards. His strategic thinking and operational expertise earned him high praise from CEO Tim Cook, who called him a “brilliant strategist” and one of the “central architects” of Apple’s global success.
Why Tim Cook chose Sabih Khan
According to a statement released by Apple, Jeff Williams will transition his responsibilities to Khan by the end of the month and retire later this year. In his announcement, Tim Cook praised Khan as a “brilliant strategist” and one of the key architects of Apple’s global supply chain.
Cook highlighted Khan’s work in advanced manufacturing, US-based production expansion, and sustainability initiatives, crediting him with helping Apple cut its carbon footprint by over 60%. “Above all, Sabih leads with his heart and his values,” said Cook, expressing full confidence in Khan’s ability to shape Apple’s future.
With this move, Apple’s design team will begin reporting directly to Tim Cook, while Khan steps into a role that positions him as one of the most influential leaders in the world’s most valuable company.
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