Meet Sabih Khan, Apple’s supply chain strategist set to steer its operations

Sabih Khan’s appointment as Apple Chief Operating Officer (COO) feels less like a sudden power shift and more like the culmination of a meticulously planned operation. Over a 30‑year career, he has methodically refined links in a supply chain that spans continents and weathers political fault lines.

His work has earned Tim Cook’s praise as “one of the central architects of Apple’s supply chain” and, in the Apple CEO's words, someone who 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” while leading “with his heart and his values.”

Born in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, Khan spent part of his childhood in Singapore before moving to the US for higher education. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University and a master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Those twin disciplines, economic theory and hands‑on engineering, would become the bedrock of his career, enabling him to balance commercial rigour with technical innovation.

Khan began his professional journey at GE Plastics as an applications development engineer and key account technical leader. In 1995, he joined Apple’s nascent procurement group. 

Over the next two decades, he navigated through roles of increasing scope, head of technical support, director of manufacturing strategy and, in June 2019, he was named senior vice president of operations.

In that capacity, he was responsible for Apple’s global supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, procurement, fulfilment, and supplier responsibility programmes.

Under his tenure, Apple diversified its manufacturing footprint to the US and pursued environmental measures that cut its carbon footprint by more than 60%.

Jeff Williams, who Khan will succeed later this month, summed up their long partnership: “I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Sabih for 27 years, and I think he’s the most talented operations executive on the planet. I have tremendous confidence in Apple’s future under his leadership in this role.”

Cook added, “Jeff’s true legacy can be seen in the amazing team he’s created and, while he’ll be greatly missed, he leaves the work of the future in incredible hands.”

On Tuesday, July 8, Apple announced that Khan will assume the COO role later in the month, taking over from Williams as part of a long‑planned succession. Reporting to Cook, Khan now faces fresh headwinds—intensifying US-China tensions and growing calls for onshore production.

His elevation reflects Apple’s belief that a supply chain specialist—schooled equally in economics and engineering—can steer the company through its next chapter. With rivals scrambling to secure manufacturing hubs and hedge against tariffs, Khan’s approach as 'a brilliant strategist' will be tested.