Sabih Khan Apple COO Appointment: A Desi Star Powers Apple’s Core—2025

Sabih Khan, Apple COO

“From Moradabad to Cupertino”—sounds like a movie title, right? But this is the real-life script of Sabih Khan, Apple COO, the Indian-origin tech wizard who has just been named the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Apple Inc.

That’s right—the world’s most iconic tech brand has placed one of its most critical roles into the hands of an Indian-origin leader.

A move that’s not just historic but deeply inspiring for millions of aspiring Indians dreaming big from small towns.

Khan’s journey isn’t one of overnight success—it’s a story of decades of excellence, quiet leadership, and world-class execution. Known as the mastermind behind Apple’s global supply chain, Sabih Khan has been the unsung hero ensuring that every iPhone, MacBook, and Apple Watch reaches your hands without fail, despite global crises and manufacturing complexities.

In 2025, Apple announced this major executive transition—as Jeff Williams steps back from the COO role, Sabih Khan steps up. His elevation reflects not only Apple’s faith in his unmatched capabilities but also marks a proud moment for the global Indian community.

As the world takes note of this Desi star’s rise in Silicon Valley, let’s take a deep dive into who Sabih Khan is, his inspiring career, his massive role at Apple, and why this appointment matters more than ever.

🧑‍💼 Who Is Sabih Khan?

Sabih Khan is an Indian-origin executive who has been working at Apple for nearly three decades. Originally from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, his early education took place in India, after which he pursued higher studies in the United States.

• 🎓 Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University
  • MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business
• 💼 Early Career:
  • Worked at GE Plastics, gaining valuable experience in materials and manufacturing before joining Apple in 1995.

Khan is widely recognized as the driving force behind Apple’s robust supply chain, ensuring seamless delivery of products across the globe.

🚀 What Makes Sabih Khan’s Appointment Historic?

In 2025, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that Sabih Khan would take over as chief operating officer, replacing Jeff Williams, who is now shifting his focus to product development and health tech innovation.

Sabih Khan now holds one of the most powerful positions in the tech world, making him

• The first Indian-origin COO in Apple’s history
• A key decision-maker in the world’s most valuable company
• A part of the elite list of Indian-origin tech leaders, including
  • Sundar Pichai (CEO, Google)
  • Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft)
  • Arvind Krishna (CEO, IBM)

🔧 What Will Sabih Khan Do as Apple COO?

As Chief Operating Officer, Sabih Khan’s role is mission-critical for Apple. He will be managing

• 🌐 Apple’s global supply chain and logistics
• 🏭 Manufacturing operations across countries
• 🔋 Implementation of sustainability initiatives
• 📦 Supplier responsibility and compliance
• 📊 Optimizing inventory, product flow, and factory systems

Khan will be the engine that keeps Apple running flawlessly, ensuring that every launch is timely and every Apple Store is fully stocked.

🌟 Why This Matters for India and the World

This isn’t just another promotion—it’s a global recognition of Indian talent, work ethic, and excellence. Sabih Khan’s story adds another feather to the cap of Indian-origin leaders who are transforming the global tech landscape.

For India, it’s a moment of pride and hope:

• Proof that talent from small towns can reach global boardrooms
• Inspiration for the next generation of Indian engineers and techies
• Evidence that diversity in leadership drives innovation

First Look Out: Rashmika Mandanna Warrior Avatar in Mysaa is Fierce, Fearless & Fiery—2025

🧩 Early Life and Indian Roots

• Hometown: Sabih Khan was born in Moradabad, a historic city in Uttar Pradesh, India, known for its brassware industry.
• He moved to the United States for his higher education, like many Indian-origin professionals who now lead major global companies.
• Though not frequently in the media spotlight, Khan is deeply respected in Silicon Valley for his behind-the-scenes work.

🎓 Educational Excellence

• Tufts University: Khan holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and mechanical engineering—a powerful combination of business and tech.
• Duke University (Fuqua School of Business): He earned his MBA, which gave him the global management vision that would later define his role at Apple.

💼 Career at Apple—Over 25 Years of Legacy

Sabih Khan joined Apple Inc. in 1995 and has held numerous leadership roles, particularly in operations and supply chain management. His job has been to ensure that

• Apple products are manufactured efficiently
• Apple’s suppliers are held to ethical, sustainable standards
• Products like iPhones, iPads, and Macs are delivered on time globally

Before his elevation to COO in 2025, Khan served as Senior Vice President of Operations, where he managed

• Apple’s global supply chain (spanning 43+ countries)
• Complex product launches under tight timelines
• Supplier responsibility programs, including environmental and labor standards

🌱 Sustainability Leadership

One of Khan’s major contributions has been pushing Apple’s green goals:

• Ensuring supply chain partners move to clean energy
• Reducing Apple’s carbon footprint across production facilities
• Promoting recycled materials in Apple products

His work helped Apple become a global benchmark in sustainable tech manufacturing.

🧠 Why Apple Chose Him as COO in 2025

When Jeff Williams—Apple’s long-time COO—transitioned to focus on product development, Sabih Khan was the natural successor. Reasons include:

• Deep institutional knowledge (joined Apple before the iPhone era)
• Proven track record of handling global crises like COVID-19 disruptions
• Ability to scale operations in new geographies like India and Vietnam

He now leads Apple’s entire global supply chain, product fulfillment, and manufacturing—making sure Apple’s multi-billion-dollar engine never skips a beat.

🌍 What Makes His Appointment So Special

• First Indian-origin executive to become Apple COO
• Represents the growing influence of Indian professionals in Big Tech
• A role model for STEM students and young entrepreneurs across India

📊 Apple’s Growth Under His Watch (Key Stats)

• Over 1 billion iPhones shipped during his operational leadership
• Oversaw transition of manufacturing to India, Vietnam, and other locations
• Ensured Apple’s operations stayed stable even during semiconductor shortages

🏆 A Quiet Genius with a Global Impact

While Sabih Khan avoids the limelight, unlike other Silicon Valley executives, within the tech world, he’s known as

• The quiet commander of Apple’s global army
• A master of precision, ethics, and scale
• The man who helped Apple maintain dominance despite global turbulence

The information presented in this article is compiled from publicly available sources and official Apple announcements as of July 2025. Details may be subject to change based on future company updates.