Apple Inc. has officially appointed Sabih Khan as its new Chief Operating Officer, succeeding Jeff Williams. Khan will formally assume the role later this month, as part of a “long‑planned succession” strategy under CEO Tim Cook.
Early Years & Schooling
- Born in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh (1966): Sabih Khan spent his early childhood in India until about fifth grade.
- Schooling in Singapore: His family moved to Singapore, where he completed his primary and secondary education.
- Undergraduate in the U.S.: He earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Economics from Tufts University.
- Advanced studies: He pursued a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Career Journey
GE Plastics (pre‑1995)
Khan began as an applications development engineer and key-account technical leader, honing both technical and leadership skills.
Joining Apple (1995)
He joined Apple’s procurement group in 1995, marking the beginning of a distinguished 30-year-long career.
Rise to Senior Leadership
- In 2019, Khan was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations, reporting to then‑COO Jeff Williams.
- He played a central role in managing Apple’s global supply chain, including planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, quality control, and supplier responsibility.
- Led sustainability initiatives: Under his guidance, Apple reduced its carbon footprint by over 60%, expanded green-manufacturing partnerships, and increased operations in the U.S.
- Crisis response: Directed supply-chain resilience during COVID‑19 and geopolitical trade tensions .
What Makes Him the Ideal COO
Tim Cook described Khan as “a brilliant strategist and one of the central architects of Apple’s supply chain” and praised his leadership values and environmental initiatives, stating: “Sabih leads with his heart and his values”. As COO, his mandate includes:
- Continuing succession planning: Ensuring a smooth transition as Williams retires at year-end.
- Strengthening production: Strategically moving more manufacturing out of China, with a focus on India and Southeast Asia.
- Expanding sustainability: Embedding green manufacturing and reducing environmental impact.
- Boosting U.S. operations: Growing domestic manufacturing capabilities .
Future Outlook
With global supply disruptions, rising geopolitical tensions, and an increasing push for responsible production, Sabih Khan’s leadership is poised to guide Apple through its next phase:
- Smart localization: Diversifying production across regions like India, positioning Apple to better manage tariffs and global economic shifts.
- Environmental ambition: Building upon his record of shrinking Apple’s carbon emissions.
- Operational continuity: Preserving and evolving Apple’s supply-chain excellence.
Closing Thoughts
Sabih Khan’s journey – from Moradabad to Singapore and the U.S., from engineer to COO – represents a uniquely global narrative. His deep technical expertise, coupled with a strong moral compass and track record of sustainability, make him a fitting leader as Apple navigates a future of complexity, innovation, and responsibility.