Mr. Williams was long considered a leading candidate to replace Tim Cook as the company’s next chief executive.
Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer and Tim Cook’s longtime lieutenant, is retiring after spending two and a half decades turning the company into an operational machine, capable of making more than 200 million iPhones a year at low prices that allowed the company to rake in tremendous profits.
The retirement of Mr. Williams, 62, who was long considered Mr. Cook’s most likely successor, means that Apple’s next chief executive is likely to be one of the company’s other leaders. Apple analysts and observers say possible candidates for the job include John Ternus, the company’s head of hardware engineering; Craig Federighi, its head of software; and Eddy Cue, its head of services.
Sabih Khan, Apple’s senior vice president of operations, will replace Mr. Williams as the company’s chief operating officer later this month. A 30-year employee of Apple, Mr. Khan has been in charge of Apple’s supply chain, procurement and logistics since 2019.
Mr. Cook will assume oversight for other divisions that Mr. Williams ran, including Apple’s design, watch and health teams.
“Jeff and I have worked alongside each other for as long as I can remember, and Apple wouldn’t be what it is without him,” Mr. Cook said in a statement. “He’s helped to create one of the most respected global supply chains in the world, launched Apple Watch and overseen its development, architected Apple’s health strategy and led our world-class team of designers with great wisdom, heart and dedication.”
During his 27 years at Apple, Mr. Williams played a leading role in building the company’s supply chain. He helped line up some of its most important and enduring suppliers, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which makes Apple’s cutting-edge chips, and Corning, which makes iPhone glass.