Apple's Retail VP Latest To Head For The Door

As a driving force behind Apple's retail operations, McDougal was considered a prime candidate for the company's senior vice president of retail position, which has remained vacant since Apple showed the door to former retail head John Browett in October.

McDougal also worked under Ron Johnson, Apple's senior vice president of retail operations prior to Browett. Johnson left the company in June to take on the role of CEO of retailer J.C. Penney and, before the appointment of Browett, McDougal was largely considered a candidate for the position.

[Related: Report: Apple Cuts iPhone 5 Supply Orders As Demand Wanes ]

According to AllThingsD, people familiar with the situation said McDougal's resignation was not related to his candidacy for the senior vice president of retail role.

Apple spokesperson Steve Dowling said Jim Bean, Apple's vice president of finance, will replace McDougal.

"Retail has an incredibly strong network of leaders at the store and regional level, and they will continue the excellent work they've done over the past decade to revolutionize retailing with unique, innovative services and a focus on the customer that is second to none," Dowling told AllThingsD. "Jim Bean is moving to retail to help support our store teams. Jim has been at Apple for 15 years and is a great leader who understands our culture and focus on customer service."

McDougal's resignation is one of several executive shake-ups at Apple over the past year. In October, Apple announced the departure of Scott Forstall, head of iOS software, who was reportedly asked to leave the company after refusing to apologize for Apple's bug-ridden Maps software in iOS 6.

Richard Williamson, Apple's senior director of iOS platform services, left the company in November, after reportedly being let go for his own involvement with the faulty mapping service.

Apple in June also announced the retirement of its longtime Mac hardware chief, Bob Mansfield.

PUBLISHED JAN. 16, 2013