
Before becoming CEO in 2011, Tim Cook was Apple's Chief Operating Officer (COO) from 2007.
He initially joined Apple in 1998 as Senior Vice President for Worldwide Operations.
Cook's initial role was Senior Vice President for Worldwide Operations, where he significantly streamlined Apple's supply chain and manufacturing. He later became Executive Vice President for Worldwide Sales and Operations before his promotion to COO. These roles established his reputation for operational excellence.
As COO, Cook was responsible for the company's end to end supply chain, sales, and service. His leadership in optimizing these complex systems was critical for Apple's ability to scale product launches globally. This robust operational foundation contributed to Apple's eventual immense financial performance, including buying back over $880 billion of its own stock under his CEO tenure.