Jeff Williams is set to step down as Apple's Chief Operating Officer after a 27-year tenure with the company. Official communications confirm his retirement will occur by year-end with transition planning already underway. Williams was long regarded as a potential successor to CEO Tim Cook. Apple highlighted Williams' pivotal role as architect of the global supply chain and his visionary leadership in developing the Apple Watch ecosystem. In a statement, Cook acknowledged Williams' transformative impact: "Apple would not be where it is today without his contributions." From iPod to Apple Watch Williams' retirement follows a planned leadership succession strategy expected to conclude by December 2025. The executive joined Apple in 1998 and assumed COO responsibilities in 2015, overseeing global operations including manufacturing, logistics, procurement, and product fulfillment. His early work strengthened production infrastructure during the iPod era, supporting Apple's exponential growth trajectory. Williams then spearheaded the Apple Watch development, coordinating cross-functional hardware and software teams to create the first major product post-Steve Jobs. The wearable device, launched in 2014, has since become a cornerstone of Apple's wearables division. Williams also directed the company's health initiatives, integrating clinical research capabilities across devices and health platforms. In 2019, following Jony Ive's departure, Williams expanded his purview to include oversight of industrial design teams - one of Apple's most influential creative units. Apple Appoints a "Strategic Visionary" Succeeding Williams as COO will be Sabih Khan, who will assume leadership after nearly three decades of collaboration with his predecessor. The transition process is set to begin this month. Khan joined Apple in 1995 and currently manages global operations, including supply chain execution and supplier responsibility programs. The executive has played a central role in expanding Apple's manufacturing footprint across North America and Southeast Asia. His portfolio also includes environmental sustainability initiatives and labor improvement programs at production facilities. Cook praised Khan as a strategic leader with deep operational expertise, noting his "exemplary ability to navigate complex global operations" during periods of significant technological advancement. Broader Leadership Changes Williams joins a series of high-profile departures from Apple's senior ranks in recent years, including longtime hardware chief Dan Riccio and App Store head Matt Fischer who exited in 2024. Meta has reportedly secured Pando, who led Apple's AI model development team, with a $200 million compensation package. The executive is expected to join Meta's new super AI lab alongside talent from OpenAI and Anthropic. As Apple refines its leadership structure, the company is also scaling back experimental UI features in iOS 26 Beta 3 after mixed user feedback, signaling a shift toward more measured innovation approaches.