Apple's Longtime COO Steps Down, Supply Chain Future in New Hands

Apple's Chief Operating Officer, who has been with the company for 27 years, will step down at the end of this year. The transition of responsibilities will occur later this month, with the role being handed over to the Senior Vice President of Operations. The outgoing Chief Operating Officer has played a pivotal role in shaping Apple's global supply chain, which is renowned for its efficiency and reliability. This supply chain has been instrumental in the production and distribution of Apple's products, including the Apple Watch, which was launched with significant contributions from the outgoing Chief Operating Officer.

The current Chief Executive Officer of Apple expressed his gratitude and admiration for the outgoing Chief Operating Officer, stating that without his contributions, Apple would not be the company it is today. The outgoing Chief Operating Officer has been a key figure in the company's operations for nearly three decades, and his leadership has been crucial in maintaining Apple's position as a leader in the technology industry. The transition of responsibilities to the Senior Vice President of Operations is expected to be smooth, as he has been working closely with the outgoing Chief Operating Officer for several years. The company is confident that the Senior Vice President of Operations will continue to build on the strong foundation laid by the outgoing Chief Operating Officer and drive Apple's operations forward.

The outgoing Chief Operating Officer will continue to report to the Chief Executive Officer and will oversee the design team as well as the Apple Watch and the company's health initiatives. Upon retirement, the design team will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer. The outgoing Chief Operating Officer's retirement comes at a critical time for Apple's global supply chain, which faces complex challenges. It was under his leadership that Apple built its renowned global supply chain.

The outgoing Chief Operating Officer reflected on his tenure, noting that this year marks his 27th anniversary with Apple and his 40th year in the industry. He plans to spend more time with friends and family, including his five grandchildren and other relatives. He expressed confidence in the Senior Vice President of Operations, whom he has worked closely with for 27 years, and is optimistic about the company's future under his leadership.

During his career at Apple, the outgoing Chief Operating Officer established a supply chain system that supported Apple's global development and served customers worldwide, including in the United States, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia. He played a crucial role in the introduction of the iPod and iPhone projects. Over a decade ago, he led the Apple Watch project and developed the company's health strategy.

The incoming Senior Vice President of Operations is described as an outstanding strategist and a key designer of Apple's supply chain. He has driven advancements in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, expanded Apple's manufacturing operations in the United States, and ensured the company's ability to adapt to global challenges. He has also been instrumental in Apple's ambitious environmental sustainability initiatives, helping to reduce the company's carbon footprint by over 60%. He has been with Apple for 30 years and joined the executive team in 2019 as the Senior Vice President of Operations. For the past six years, he has overseen Apple's global supply chain, ensuring product quality and supervising planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and product delivery functions, as well as supplier responsibility projects across Apple's global production facilities.