As the world eagerly awaits Apple’s new iPhone, the company made a quiet but significant announcement this week that surprised many. Sabih Khan, Apple’s long-serving Senior Vice President of Operations, is set to become the company’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). He will officially take on the role at the end of July this year.
With over 30 years of association with Apple, Sabih Khan is now considered the new “supply chain superstar” of the tech world. His involvement in Apple’s internal operations is so deep that he is often referred to as the GPS of the company’s global production and supply system.
From Moradabad to Cupertino
Sabih Khan was born in 1966 in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. When he was in the fifth grade, his family moved to Singapore, and later they settled permanently in the United States.
He earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University, and later completed his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Sabih Khan began his professional career at General Electric (GE), where he worked as an Application Development Engineer and Technical Lead.
In 1995, he joined Apple’s Procurement division, and from there, he gradually became a key architect of Apple’s global planning, manufacturing, supply, and logistics departments. In 2019, Tim Cook appointed him as Senior Vice President of Operations.
From the global COVID-19 pandemic to the U.S.-China trade tensions, Sabih Khan played an outstanding role in keeping Apple’s supply chain running smoothly and ensuring uninterrupted product delivery.
Outgoing COO Jeff Williams, who worked alongside Sabih Khan for 27 years, said:
“Sabih Khan is one of the most talented operations executives in the world.”
Personal Life and Personality
Very little is publicly known about Sabih Khan’s personal life. It is known that he reached the U.S. via India and Singapore. However, not much is revealed about his wife, children, or close associates. He prefers to stay out of the spotlight and work behind the scenes.
Though he is rarely seen at Apple’s major public events, his contribution to the company’s production and supply systems as a silent but efficient leader is undeniable.
Net Worth
Sabih Khan’s exact net worth has not been made public. However, given his long career and executive position at Apple, it is believed he holds significant wealth. For example, his predecessor Jeff Williams once held Apple shares worth approximately $82 million USD. Based on this, it is assumed Sabih Khan’s financial value is or will be at a similar level.
Challenges Ahead
As Apple’s COO, Sabih Khan will face several major challenges, including:
Complexities in the global supply chain,
Uncertainties surrounding trade and tariff policies,
Ensuring environmentally sustainable and eco-friendly supply practices.
However, many in the tech world believe that he is the right person to tackle these challenges.
