From left: Sabih Khan, Tim Cook, Jeff Williams.
Image: Apple, David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images, Noah Berger/AFP/Getty Images
Apple has officially appointed Sabih Khan, a 30‑year veteran and current Senior Vice President of Operations, as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective later this month.
This marks a long‑planned succession, taking over from Jeff Williams, who will gradually transition out by the end of the year.
Until then, Williams will continue reporting to CEO Tim Cook, overseeing Apple Watch, health initiatives, and design teams, which will later report directly to 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," said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
“I am and will always be beyond grateful for his numerous contributions to Apple over the years and his loyal friendship," Cook said.
Viewed as a “brilliant strategist,” Khan has overseen Apple’s global supply chain and championed manufacturing innovations and sustainability programs.
“Sabih Khan is a brilliant strategist who has been one of the central architects of Apple’s supply chain,” Cook emphasised.
“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. He has advanced our ambitious efforts in environmental sustainability, helping reduce Apple’s carbon footprint by more than 60 percent. Above all, Khan leads with his heart and his values, and I know he will make an exceptional chief operating officer,” Cook concluded.
Under his watch, Apple significantly expanded its US manufacturing footprint and reduced its carbon output by over 60%.
His promotion reinforced Apple’s emphasis on operational excellence and continuity.
Just as Apple consolidates its leadership, it faces a major loss: Ruoming Pang, head of Apple’s foundation models team, has departed for Meta’s newly formed Superintelligence Labs.
Bloomberg and Reuters reports confirm that Pang was offered a highly lucrative compensation package, worth “millions annually,” with some outlets placing the signing bonus at well over $100 million prompting Apple to pass on a counter‑offer .
Pang led a team of roughly 100 engineers focused on Apple’s large language models, powering Apple Intelligence features like email summaries and Genmoji.
His exit represented a significant talent haemorrhage for Apple, occurring amid growing pressures as the company navigates delayed Siri enhancements and flat stock performance in 2025.
A number of analysts have noted that bringing Khan into the COO role ensured continuity and confidence in Apple's supply chain and manufacturing operations.
Meanwhile, the departure of Pang has highlighted a vulnerability in Apple’s AI ambitions and raises questions about leadership and progress in this critical emerging market.