Who is Sabih Khan?
Sabih Khan has been appointed as Apple’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO), taking over from Jeff Williams as part of a long-planned succession strategy. Khan, who has been with Apple for 30 years, currently serves as senior vice president of Operations and will assume the COO role later this month.
Sabih Khan Age and Background
Born in 1966 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, Sabih Khan is currently 58 years old. He moved to Singapore at the age of 10 where he completed his schooling before pursuing higher education in the United States.
Educational Journey
Khan earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and mechanical engineering from Tufts University, followed by a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. This strong educational foundation in engineering and economics has been instrumental in his successful career trajectory.
Career Before Apple
Before joining Apple, Sabih Khan worked at GE Plastics (now SABIC), where he served as an applications development engineer and key account technical leader. This experience in manufacturing and technical leadership provided valuable expertise that he later brought to Apple.
Sabih Khan Apple Journey
Sabih Khan joined Apple in 1995, marking the beginning of his remarkable 30-year journey with the tech giant. He was named to Apple’s executive team as senior vice president of Operations in 2019, after serving as a dedicated employee and rising through the ranks.
Current Role and Responsibilities
As Apple’s senior vice president of Operations, Sabih Khan oversees Apple’s global supply chain, ensuring product quality and managing planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and product fulfillment functions. His expertise extends to supplier management and operational excellence across Apple’s vast network.
Apple COO Appointment
Apple announced on Tuesday that Sabih Khan will take over as Chief Operating Officer from Jeff Williams later this month. This appointment comes as Jeff Williams steps down from the COO role and is set to retire later this year.
Apple CEO Tim Cook’s Endorsement
Apple CEO Tim Cook praised Sabih Khan, calling him a “brilliant strategist” and highlighting his role as a key figure behind the company’s global supply chain. Cook emphasized that “Sabih leads with heart and strong values”, demonstrating the confidence Apple’s leadership has in his abilities.
Strategic Significance
Khan’s appointment as Apple COO comes amid the company’s strategic shift toward India and sustainability initiatives. His Indian heritage and deep understanding of global operations position him well to lead Apple’s expanding presence in emerging markets.
Industry Impact
The appointment of Sabih Khan as Apple COO represents a significant milestone for Indian-origin executives in the global technology sector. His rise from an engineering role to the second-highest operational position at one of the world’s most valuable companies showcases the potential for international talent in Silicon Valley.
Key Achievements
Throughout his three-decade tenure at Apple, Sabih Khan has been instrumental in:
- Building and managing Apple’s complex global supply chain
- Ensuring consistent product quality across all Apple devices
- Overseeing manufacturing partnerships and logistics operations
- Contributing to Apple’s operational efficiency and cost management
Looking Forward
As Apple’s new COO, Sabih Khan will be responsible for continuing the company’s operational excellence while navigating challenges such as supply chain diversification, sustainability goals, and expanding global markets. His extensive experience and proven track record position him well to lead Apple’s operations into the future.
The appointment of Sabih Khan as Apple COO marks not just a personal achievement but also highlights the increasing recognition of Indian talent in global technology leadership roles. His journey from Moradabad to becoming the COO of one of the world’s most valuable companies serves as an inspiration for aspiring technology professionals worldwide.
