Apple Inc. has named Sabih Khan, a veteran executive of Indian origin, as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Khan will take over from Jeff Williams in a planned leadership transition and is set to formally assume his new role later this month. Khan, who has been with Apple for three decades, currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Operations.
Jeff Williams, Apple’s COO since 2015, will continue to report to Apple CEO Tim Cook while managing the Apple Watch and design teams until his retirement later this year. Upon his departure, the design division will report directly to Tim Cook, according to the company.
Born in 1966 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, Sabih Khan spent his early years in India before relocating to Singapore during school and later moving to the United States. He earned dual bachelor’s degrees in economics and mechanical engineering from Tufts University, followed by a master’s in mechanical engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Khan began his professional journey at GE Plastics before joining Apple in 1995 as part of its procurement team. Over the years, he has been instrumental in building and optimizing Apple’s global supply chain, launching supplier responsibility programs, and streamlining operational strategies to ensure timely delivery of Apple’s innovative products.
His promotion comes as India’s role in Apple’s global operations continues to grow, both as a key consumer market and as an increasingly important manufacturing base.
Apple CEO Tim Cook lauded Khan’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence:
“Sabih is a brilliant strategist who has been one of the central architects of Apple’s supply chain. 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,” Cook said in a statement.
Cook also credited Khan’s leadership in environmental sustainability, highlighting that his initiatives led to a more than 60% reduction in Apple’s carbon footprint.
Khan’s elevation to COO aligns with Apple’s growing focus on India—a strategic market and production hub. With Apple expanding iPhone manufacturing in India through partners like Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron, Khan’s Indian roots and operational expertise could further accelerate Apple’s localization efforts.
Sabih Khan’s elevation to Chief Operating Officer marks a pivotal moment in Apple’s leadership evolution, highlighting the company’s confidence in his decades of expertise and strategic vision.
With over 30 years at Apple, Khan has played a critical role in building one of the most efficient and sustainable supply chains in the world. His promotion comes at a time when Apple is significantly expanding its footprint in India—both as a growing market and a key manufacturing hub.
Khan’s Indian roots, combined with his global experience, position him uniquely to lead Apple’s operations through its next phase of innovation and international expansion.
CEO Tim Cook’s praise for Khan’s role in reducing Apple’s carbon footprint and pioneering advanced manufacturing technologies further underscores his impact. As Khan steps into his new role, he is set to guide Apple through an increasingly complex global landscape, ensuring agility, sustainability, and operational excellence remain at the company’s core.