In logistics and large facilities, high-value goods or specialized tools are kept in a wire-mesh enclosure known as the cage. The person who staffs this area is responsible for logging items in and out, preventing theft, and maintaining inventory control. Floor staff often have to negotiate with them to get replacement gear or premium materials.
Heard on the job
Go see the cager and sign out a new hammer drill before you head up to the roof.
Related terms
Bench jockey
An entry-level technician or laboratory worker assigned to repetitive, stationary tasks.
Counter jockey
An employee who staffs the parts desk or retail register, often viewed by field workers as lacking hands-on experience.
Gopher
A junior worker whose primary job is fetching tools, parts and supplies for senior staff.