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Jeff Williams to Step Down After Decades at Apple

Apple announced Tuesday that Jeff Williams, its Chief Operating Officer and one of the company’s most influential executives, will retire later this year. Williams, who joined Apple in 1997 and has spent over four decades in the tech industry, will gradually transition out of the role over the coming months.

His responsibilities will begin shifting this month to Sabih Khan, Apple’s current Senior Vice President of Operations, who will formally assume leadership of Apple’s global supply chain, manufacturing, procurement, and logistics.

Williams’ Legacy at Apple

Often described as “Tim Cook’s Tim Cook,” Williams has been a central figure in shaping Apple’s operational strength and product ecosystem. At age 62, he has overseen the buildout of one of the world’s most efficient and respected global supply chains—an operation that manufactures over 200 million iPhones annually while maintaining tight control over costs and quality.

Williams also played a key role in product development. He led the Apple Watch launch in 2015 and helped steer the company’s growing focus on healthcare technologies, including innovations like ECG monitoring and blood oxygen tracking.

After legendary design chief Jony Ive exited in 2019, Williams also took charge of Apple’s industrial design team, steering the company's product aesthetics during an era of quieter but critically important product refinements.

Leadership Transition to Sabih Khan

In a statement, Apple confirmed that the transition is part of a “long-planned succession strategy.” Khan, who has worked at Apple since 1995, joined the executive team in 2019 and will now officially lead operations, including product quality, planning, procurement, and fulfillment.

Known for his hands-on leadership style, Khan has earned a reputation for urgency and problem-solving. One widely circulated anecdote from Fortune recounts how, upon hearing Tim Cook say a supply chain issue was “really bad,” Khan immediately headed to the airport and flew to China to resolve it personally.

Khan holds a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and a master’s in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Before Apple, he worked as an engineer and technical lead at GE Plastics.

Williams’ Final Contributions and Continued Influence

Before officially stepping away, Williams will continue overseeing key areas, including Apple Watch, Apple’s health strategy, and design leadership, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. After Williams retires, the design team will report to Cook himself.

In a press statement, Cook praised Williams’ impact on Apple’s transformation over the past three decades:

“Jeff has 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.”

Williams, reflecting on his time at Apple, said:

“June marked my 27th anniversary with Apple, and my 40th in the industry. It’s time to spend more time with friends and family.”

Retirement Comes Amid Global Shifts in Supply Chain Strategy

Williams’ departure comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and trade challenges. Apple’s global supply chain—heavily reliant on manufacturing partners in China, Vietnam, and India—is under pressure from U.S. tariffs, shifting political alliances, and White House calls to move more production back to American soil.

The company has been accelerating efforts to diversify production, expanding its footprint in India and other Southeast Asian countries. Khan will now be tasked with executing this complex transition while maintaining Apple’s world-renowned precision and efficiency in delivering products at scale.