Apple has begun cutting jobs across its global sales organization in a rare restructuring move aimed at streamlining operations and reducing overlapping responsibilities. According to people familiar with the matter, the company has eliminated dozens of roles that primarily served enterprise, education, and government clients. These positions included account managers responsible for major institutional partnerships, along with staff who worked in Apple’s executive briefing centers, which host demonstrations and meetings for large customers.
The company confirmed that only a small number of employees were impacted and emphasized that the changes are part of an effort to “connect with even more customers” by simplifying internal processes. Affected workers were informed that they have until January 20, 2026, to apply for other openings within Apple, and those unable to secure a new role will receive severance packages.
Industry observers note that the restructuring marks an unusual step for Apple, which historically avoids large-scale layoffs. Despite the cuts, Apple continues to hire across other divisions, signaling a shift in resource allocation rather than a broad financial downturn. Internally, many employees expressed surprise at the decision, especially given Apple’s expectation of record revenue in the upcoming quarter.
Sources suggest the move may be part of a broader strategy to rely more heavily on third-party resellers for institutional sales, reducing the need for a large in-house team. The government sales division, which supports agencies ranging from defense to justice, is believed to have been one of the hardest hit. This team had already been under pressure due to budget constraints and shifting political priorities.
The decision also comes as Apple reevaluates the role of its enterprise-focused operations, potentially aligning its sales approach with upcoming product changes, including a lower-cost laptop expected next year. By adjusting its sales structure now, Apple may be positioning itself to market more competitively to businesses and educational institutions through external partners rather than internal representatives.
While relatively limited in scale, the job cuts highlight a strategic recalibration at a moment when many major tech companies are pursuing cost efficiency. Apple’s restructuring appears designed to modernize its sales model, reduce redundancy, and reallocate talent to areas with higher long-term growth potential.
