CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple named supply chain and operations boss Jeff Williams as chief operating officer Thursday, elevating Williams to a post that potentially gives him the inside track as heir apparent to Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook.
At present, Williams oversees Apple’s supply chain and operations.
Prior to being named as chief operating officer, Williams, who has been with the company since 1998, also has been adding tasks such as heading the development of the Apple Watch.
The post of COO had been vacant ever since Cook left that role to become CEO in 2011.
