Apple says COO Jeff Williams will retire from company later this year

Apple announced on Tuesday that its Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams, who has been with the company for 27 years, will retire later this year. In a statement, the tech giant revealed that Sabih Khan, the current head of operations, will assume significant responsibilities of the COO position later this month. During his remaining tenure, Williams will continue to oversee critical areas such as Apple's design team, the Apple Watch, and health initiatives, all while reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. Williams' departure marks the exit of another veteran executive from Apple, as many long-serving employees from the company's rapid growth era approach retirement. At 62 years old, Williams has led Apple's operations division, a key area responsible for manufacturing millions of intricate devices like iPhones while managing costs effectively. He also took charge of the esteemed industrial design team after the retirement of its long-time leader, Jony Ive, in 2019. In the statement, Cook praised Williams for his contributions, highlighting his role in creating one of the world's most respected supply chains, launching the Apple Watch, and shaping the company's health strategy. Williams expressed his intention to focus on spending more time with family and friends, marking the end of an era as he reflects on his nearly three-decade journey with Apple. Sabih Khan, who joined Apple's executive team in 2019, will oversee supply chain management, product quality, planning, procurement, and fulfillment. With a background in engineering and a distinguished education from Tufts University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Khan is well-prepared to take on these new challenges at Apple.